Serum immunoglobulin and complement values in scabietic patients

ABSTRACT

Immunity entails all the forces concerned with recognition, specific reaction and removal of foreign bodies after they again access into the body of the host. The immune system interacts with genetics and infectious agents as well as with metabolic, endocrine and environmental factors. The serum immunoglobulins [G, M, A and E] and complement [C3 and C4] were estimated in 16 parasitologically proven patients with scabies. The causative agent was Sarcoptes scabiei. The results showed a high significant increase in the mean average of IgG, IgM and in particular IgE pretreatment than in patients three months after treatment and in patients after treatment than in controls. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in the mean average of IgA after treatment. The difference between the mean IgA levels after treatment and controls was insignificant. The C3 and C4 showed no significant changes in the mean average in the patients before or after treatment compared to controls. The changes in the IgG, IgM and in particular IgE may be specific reaction to the parasite or a nonspecific one to the dead parasite or its feces or even to a secondary infection developed. On the other hand, the decrease in the IgA may be due to the mite or its products which interfere with its synthesis. It is concluded that scabies is associated with a humoral immunological response against the mite infestation