HUMORAL IMMUNE-RESPONSES IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI INFECTION WHO WERE FOLLOWED UP FOR 2 YEARS AFTER TREATMENT

Eighteen patients with acute Schistosoma mansoni infection were follow ed up for 2 years after treatment with praziquantel or oxamniquine. Cu re rates, clinical features, abdominal ultrasonographic findings, and specific humoral responses were determined at 2-, 6-, and 24-month fol low-ups. Fourteen patients (77.8%) were considered parasitologically c ured. Levels of IgA antibody to soluble egg antigen (SEA) and IgM anti body to keyhole limpet hemocyanin Cf(LH) became negative or decreased to the cutoff level for chronic infection 2 months after treatment, wh ile levels of IgG antibody to KLH declined between 12 and 24 months af ter treatment, Levels of IgM and IgG antibodies to saline worm adult p rotein as well as IgM and IgG antibodies to SEA remained positive duri ng the follow-up period. Discrete lymph node enlargement and hepatomeg aly were still present in six of the eight cured children 2 years afte r treatment, while complete regression was observed in adults. In our group of patients, in addition to presenting with more intense clinica l manifestations, children were cured less often and had slower abatem ent of symptomatology after treatment than adults.