Circulating schistosomal antigens among neonates of mothers infected with schistosoma mansoni

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the possibility of circulating schistosomal antigens transfer from mothers to their neonates and the time of antigen clearance on 20 full-term newborns to mothers infected with Schistosoma mansoni and passing viable eggs in their stools. The results revealed that the antigen capture ELISA could detect 17 infected mothers with active Schistosoma mansoni infection. A significant direct increase in mean antigen levels was found with infection intensity evaluated by egg counting and the progress of the clinical stages of the disease. A positive correlation was found between newborn serum antigen and the severity of infection in their mothers. A significantly higher antigen levels were found in neonates of antigen positive mothers compared with that of infants at three months of life and the antigen level was decreased gradually with advancement of age. All infants at six month had completely free antigenemia. This study documented the possibility of antigen transfer through placenta even alone or incorporated in immune complex form