[Serum globulin levels and intensity of hepatic fibrosis in patients with mansonic schistosomiasis].
BACKGROUND
A correlation between the levels of serum globulins and the hepatic fibrosis degree in chronic hepatitis was described, but reports in schistosomiasis mansoni have not been found.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the serum globulins and IgG levels, and periportal fibrosis intensity measured by ultrasound in patients with schistosomiasis mansoni.


METHODS
Between November, 2006 and February 2007, 41 patients which were eligible, filled them a questionnaire and had their levels of serum IgG measured by immunoturbidimetry and globulins indirectly measured by the Biuret method. The ultrasound was carried out by a single researcher, according to the Cairo and Niamey protocols.


RESULTS
The average age was 41 years old and 25 female patients (61%). Ten patients (24%) from 41 showed serum globulins levels raised and 21 (51%) presented elevated IgG levels. According to the Cairo classification, 21 patients showed grade I of fibrosis, 18 grade II and 2 grade III; and by the Niamey classification 8 showed standard C, 20 D, and 13 E. Those with grade II or III of fibrosis had higher IgG levels than the ones with grade I (P = 0.047), as well as those who showed standards D and E as compared to C (P = 0.011). There was no association between the globulins levels and the intensity of fibrosis.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with schistosomiasis mansoni, an increase of the IgG serum levels was observed according to the progression from periportal fibrosis intensity, but the same was not founded with globulins levels.
Correia
Henrique S T
HS
Estudo desenvolvido no Ambulatório de Esquistossomose e no Laboratório Central do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE.
Domingues
Ana Lucia C
AL
Lopes
Edmundo P A
EP
Morais
Clarice N L
CN
Sarteschi
Camila
C
Moura
Izolda M F
IM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008109:Liver Diseases, Parasitic / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009391:Nephelometry and Turbidimetry; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012712:Serum Globulins / Q000032:analysis*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D012712:Serum Globulins