Study of some immune aspects in patients with fascioliasis before and after commiphora molmol [mirazid] treatment

ABSTRACT

This study was planned to evaluate the in vitro production of IL-1 beta and IL-4 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMCs] and total IgE in patients with fascioliasis before and three months after treatment with purified extract of myrrh from Commiphora molmol tree [mirazid], to determine the role of these variables in the immunopathogenesis of the disease in relation to this new drug. The study was carried out on a total of 35 patients with chronic fascioliasis with an age range from 9 to 45 years, in addition to 10 healthy subjects with matched age and sex serving as controls. Serum IgE and in vitro IL-1 and IL-4 were estimated by enzyme immunoassay [ELISA] before and three months after therapy. The study concluded that mirazid is an effective fasciolicidal drug. IL-1 may be involved in the disease immuno-pathogenesis and the depressed IL-4 may be a phenomenon of the parasite immune suppression. A complete decline of total IgE is not an early criterion of cure