Antibody profile, interferon-y and nutritional status in cryptosporidial infection among school children

ABSTRACT

This work studied the antibody profile, interferon-gamma [IFN-gamma] serum level and nutritional status among infected schoolchildren aged 11 years in a rural school in Abis 8 Village. Fecal examination showed that only 19 cases infected with Cryptosporidium and 10 children were free from parasites [controls]. The IgA, IgG and IgM serum levels in infected cases were within normal level, without significant differences as compared to controls. The IgE serum level was significantly high in infected children. The cytokine IFN-gamma was significantly lower in the infected cases as compared to controls. Malnutrition was diagnostic among infected children. The study showed that malnutrition is the important finding related to Cryptosporidium infection. Malnutrition decreased IFN- gamma, the recognized factor in protection from infection, and elevated serum IgE level