Raised Levels of Serum IgE in Human Helminthiases *

IgG Anti-IgE Autoantibodies in Visceral Leishmaniasis

“…The immune reaction of IgE fixed on these cells with the corresponding antigen can release bioactive cell mediators as histamine, sulfidopeptide leukotrienes, prostaglandin D 2 or plateletactivating factor, causing systemic or local inflammatory reactions. The involvement of IgE in host immune response to parasite antigens was showed immediately after its immunochemical identification in 1969, when high concentration of this protein in serum was obtained from persons suffering of helminthiasis (Bennich et al 1969, Kojima et al 1972. The recent studies on the dichotomy of immune response in Th1 and Th2 (Coffman et al 1991), which is related to the pattern of cytokines produced during antigenic stimulation, have shown that IgE is the mainly antibody induced by IL-4 and IL-13 during a Th2 immunologic event (Romagnani 1998, 2000, Hunter & Reiner 2000.…”

Effect of Chemotherapy and Reinfection on IgE-Containing and IgG-Containing Circulating Immune Complexes, Serum IgE and IgE Antibodies in Patients Chronically Infected with <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> and <i>Schistosoma haematobium</i>

“…The rapid reduction of serum IgE after specific chemotherapy has already been noted by Ito et al [ 16] and Kojima et al [17] who found in schistosomiasis japonicum IgE concentrations reduced approximate ly by 50% 2-4 months after chemotherapy. This, and the dramatic increase after a comparatively small reinfection, might be of immunodiagnostic value in mass campaigns, where the efficacy of chemotherapy and time of reinfection may more simply be assessed by indirect criteria than by direct parasitological evi dence.…”

“…Whereas IgG and IgM mole cules were frequently demonstrated in these complexes, IgE was only encountered in single cases [6][7][8], lgE-containing CIC (IgE-CIC) have become of interest as in experimental schistosomiasis, there is evidence that they are related to specific host defense mechanisms against invading schistosomulae [9][10][11], On the other hand, they are thought to contribute to the schistoso miasis-associated immune pathology of the kidneys as they may act as trigger molecules for deposition of other immune complexes on the basal membrane [7]. In hu man schistosomiasis, IgE antibodies to Schistosoma mansoni have been demonstrated in theserum of chron ically infected patients [12][13][14][15] and are supposed to be fixed to the corresponding antigen in CIC [6], Although it is known from several studies that IgE concentration that the concentrations of CIC fall to normal values, in intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis are signifi cantly elevated [16][17][18][19], investigations on the relation ship between IgE and IgE antibodies have been per formed only once [ 12], No data are obtainable so far on possible interrelations between IgE-CIC, IgE antibod ies, and serum concentration of IgE. Furthermore, there is no conclusive evidence whether these immu nological parameters are related to clinical features such as hepatosplenomegaly or intensity of infection, and in which way schistosomicidal treatment would modify them.…”

Acquired Resistance to <i>Schistosoma japonicum</i> in IgE-Deficient SJA/9 Mice Immunized with Irradiated Cercariae

“…Different mecha nisms of protection might operate in the moue (permissive host) and the rat (nonpermissive host) [14], In humans, a protective role of IgE antibody has been suggested by epi demiological studies of the resistance to reinfection with Schistosoma haematobium [15] and S. mansoni [16], Al though elevation of IgE levels is generally found in hu mans infected with S. japonicum [17], the participation of IgE in protective immunity has not been evaluated. The control SJL/J mice arc producers of IgE antibody, but they spontaneously suppress it [18].…”