RESPONSE OF IGG SUBCLASSES TO DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE THERAPY IN BANCROFTIAN FILARIAL PATIENTS

The response of IgG subclasses to diethylcarbamazine (DEC) treatment w as studied in bancroftian filariasis patients. On the basis of clinica l signs and parasitological examination, a total of 22 patients were c ategorized into asymptomatic microfilaraemics (AS-Mfmic; n = 12) and s ymptomatic amicrofilaraemics (S-AMfmic; n = 10). The subjects were tre ated with DEC (300 mg/day) for 21 days. Before treatment, AS-Mfmic cas es showed higher levels of IgG(1) and IgG(4) than the S-AMfmics wherea s IgG(2) was higher in S-AMfmics than in AS-Mfmics. DEC caused more th an 90% reduction in microfilaraemia by day 30 since the start of treat ment in AS-Mfmics, while S-AMfmics remained amicrofilaraemic throughou t the study period, In As-Mfmics, DEC treatment enhanced IgG(4) and de creased IgG(1) levels while IgG(2) and IgG(3) remained unaffected. In s-AMfmics, DEC treatment caused decrease in IgG(1), IgG(3) and IgG(4), while IgG(2) level remained unchanged, We report that DEC therapy bri ngs about changes in specific IgG(1) and IgG(4) in AS-Mfmics and IgG(1 ), IgG(3) and IgG(4) in S-AMfmics.