HUMAN ISOTYPE ANTIBODY-RESPONSES TO AN ONCHOCERCA-VOLVULUS GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASE

Human isotype specific antibody responses to a recombinant pi-class gl utathione S-transferase (Ov24) from Onchocerca volvulus were assesed b y ELISA, using a large and well-characterized bank sera (n=238) from a n hyperendemic area of moderate intensity from Sierra Leone. IgG1 IgG4 and IgA responses, but neither IgG2 nor IgE response, to Ov24 were de tected in infected subjects. The relationships between Ov24 antibody l evels and skin micro-filarial density, number of nodules, age, sex, eo sinophil counts and clinical sign of reactive and chronic pathology we re analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Significant corre lations between both Iga and IgG3 antibody levels and age were found ( P<0.01). Although no firm conclusions could be drawn from this study s ample regarding the relationships between antibody levels and parasite load or clinical status, a negative correlation (P=0.06) between Ov24 IgG3 antibody levels and microfilarodermia was found.