HLA system and antischistosomal therapy

ABSTRACT

This study was an attempt to detect any possible relation between HLA antigens and response to antischistosomal chemotherapy. Besides 20 normal healthy controls, the present work included 20 hepatic schistosomiasis patients with active intestinal infection. Cases were given praziquantel in a single oral dose of 30 mg/kg b. wt. All patients [before therapy then 2 weeks after] and controls were subjected to routine laboratory investigations, stool analysis and egg count by Kato thick smear method. Study of HLA-A, -B and -C system was done for controls and cases before treatment by the microdroplet lymphocyte cytotoxicity test. Hepatic schistosomiasis patients showed high frequency of HLA-A28 and B5 antigens. Such cases had a better response to praziquantel therapy. However, a significant association was demonstrated between occurrence of side effects to praziquantel and HLA-B5 positive cases