1.
J Egypt Soc Parasitol
; 25(1): 279-87, 1995 Apr.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-7602170
ABSTRACT
Schistosomal infections present their hosts with enormous immunological problems. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor, an effector molecule released mainly by stimulated macrophages is involved in various defence mechanisms mounted by the host against schistosome, However, TNF can be dangerous and may contribute to the pathology associated with schistosmal infections. In this study, the authors examined the circulating levels of TNF, IgE and the eosinophilic count in 41 patients and 25 health controls, trying to find an association between TNF concentrations and severity of the disease, IgE levels and eosinophilic count. All cases had significant anaemia, eosinophilia, elevated IgE and TNF concentrations.