Idiotypic regulation in schistosomiasis mansoni

ABSTRACT

The role of anti-idiotype Ab2 in the regulation of the immune response In Schistosomiasis was studied. Positive Ab2 could be detected among the newborns of infected mothers and experimentally S. mansoni-infected mice. Negative anti- idiotypic antibodies were observed among children above three years and control mice. Increasing levels of anti- idiotypic antibodies were detected among S. Mansoni infected children and adults. Higher mean anti-idiotype A2 levels were found among patients with hepatosplenomegaly than those with intestinal manifestations. The kinetics of anti-idiotype Ab2 among the S. mansoni-infected mice started from the end of the first week after infection up to eight weeks, it was continuous, but with undulating levels. Moreover, the anti-idiotype antibody was able to stimulate lymphocyte proliferation at eight weeks post infection