ABSTRACT
Serum levels of TNF-alpha was quantitatively estimated by the use of solid enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay (EASIA) in different stages of schistosomiasis mansoni, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and schistosomal arthropathy. Statistically, significant higher levels were detected in the different groups compared to the normal control group. The level was found highest in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with ascites (group 1c). The difference was significantly higher compared to cases of early S. mansoni infection (group Ia) and insignificant compared to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis without ascites (group 1b). No significant difference was detected comparing groups 1a and 1b, or groups 2a (RA) and 2b (SLE). Cases of schistosomal arthropathy (group 3) showed significantly higher level compared to groups 1a and 1b, although the level in group 1c was still significantly higher compared to group 3, the level was also significantly higher in group 3 compared to cases of RA but not to cases of SLE.