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The Effect of Treatment on the Age-antibody Relationship in Children Infected with Schistosoma mansoni  and Schistosoma haematobium
Francisca Mutapi; Takafira Mduluza & Patricia D Ndhlovu
Abstract
The effect of praziquantel treatment on the age-antibody
relationship was studied in 174 children aged between 6 and 17 years from
a schistosome endemic area in Zimbabwe. The children were co-infected with
Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium with infection prevalences of 74%
and 53% respectively. Antibody levels for the isotypes IgA, IgE, IgM, IgG1,
IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4, directed against soluble egg antigen were measured
using an indirect ELISA assay. Treatment resulted in a significant increase
in levels of IgG2 and IgG3 while levels of IgA decreased significantly.
In untreated children there were significant decreases in levels of IgG4.
Treatment also resulted in significant alteration in the age-antibody profiles
for the isotypes IgE, IgM, IgG1 and IgG2 in treated children but not in
untreated children. The results are discussed in the context of factors
believed to give rise to the age-antibody relationship; i.e. age-related
exposure patterns, age-related development of acquired immunity, age-related
hormonal changes and age-related changes in innate susceptibility to infection.
Keywords
Schistosoma mansoni - Schistosoma haematobium - antibody - age-infection experience - treatment
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