Human immunity to many infections has been studied and is well-known, although protective immunity including antibody formation and cell-mediated immunity may vary with the time of infection. In parasitic infections, these protective responses affect helminths, and thus reduce the pathogenic effects of parasitism in a variety of ways. To understand the changes in serum immunoglobulins in the cases of intestinal helminthic infection prior to, and six weeks after treatment, mebendazole-a broad spectrum anthelmintics-was given to each of infected children. Blood was collected by venous puncture before, and again six weeks after treatment. Immunoglobulin levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were measured by the single radial immunodiffusion method and IgE was determined by EIA (enzyme immunoassay). The results were as follows: 1) Immunoglobulins of the single infected groups declined significantly within six weeks after deworming, except the IgG levels of the Ascaris infected group. In all mixed infection groups, the IgE levels decreased significantly. 2) In the group of mixed infection, who still retained one species of worms after treatment, the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM decreased significantly, but that of IgE remained at high levels. It is therefore concluded that determination of immunoglobulins is of mean. ingful help for the diagnosis of helminthic infections and for the evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy.
Human immunity to many infections has been studied and is well-known, although protective immunity including antibody formation and cell-mediated immunity may vary with the time of infection. In parasitic infections, these protective responses affect helminths, and thus reduce the pathogenic effects of parasitism in a variety of ways. To understand the changes in serum immunoglobulins in the cases of intestinal helminthic infection prior to, and six weeks after treatment, mebendazole-a broad spectrum anthelmintics-was given to each of infected children. Blood was collected by venous puncture before, and again six weeks after treatment. Immunoglobulin levels of IgG, IgA and IgM were measured by the single radial immunodiffusion method and IgE was determined by EIA (enzyme immunoassay). The results were as follows: 1) Immunoglobulins of the single infected groups declined significantly within six weeks after deworming, except the IgG levels of the Ascaris infected group. In all mixed infection groups, the IgE levels decreased significantly. 2) In the group of mixed infection, who still retained one species of worms after treatment, the levels of IgG, IgA and IgM decreased significantly, but that of IgE remained at high levels. It is therefore concluded that determination of immunoglobulins is of mean. ingful help for the diagnosis of helminthic infections and for the evaluation of anthelmintic efficacy.