[Human parasite antigen-specific IFN-gamma response in schistosomitsis japonica endemic area].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the characteristics of human schistosome antigen-specific IFN-gamma response in a population in an area endemic for schistosomiasis japonica.


METHODS
Three neighboring villages were chosen on Nanshan Island of Poyang Lake. 65 egg-negative persons and 64 egg-positive ones were selected randomly from the residents aged 14-41 years according to the egg counts by Kato-Katz thick smear method. IFN-gamma was measured in the whole blood culture supernatant after stimulated by the schistosome soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble worm antigen preparations (SWAP). Serum isotype-restricted antibody was detected by ELISA.


RESULTS
IFN-gamma levels induced by both SEA and SWAP were increased significantly after praziquantel treatment. The SEA-specific IFN-gamma level of the uninfected group was much higher than that of the reinfected group. A negative correlation between IFN-gamma level and IgG4 production was found, reflecting that IFN-gamma might be associated with the resistance to schistosome reinfection.


CONCLUSIONS
The changes in IFN-gamma level might play an important role in association with the resistance to schistosome reinfection.
Shen
L
L
Molecular and Immunoparasitology Research Department, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029.
Wu
H W
HW
Zhang
Z S
ZS
Weir
R E
RE
Xie
Z W
ZW
Hu
L S
LS
Chen
S Z
SZ
Taylor
M G
MG
Wu
G L
GL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012008:Recurrence; D012549:Schistosoma japonicum / Q000276:immunology*; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000276:immunology*
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D007371:Interferon-gamma