CIRCULATING IMMUNE-COMPLEXES IN HUMAN FASCIOLIASIS - RELATIONSHIP WITH FASCIOLA-HEPATICA EGG OUTPUT

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (1) , 39-44
Abstract
Circulating immune complexes [CIC] was investigated by the 125I-C1q [q fragment of complement component 1] binding test in serum from patients with fascioliasis. Only 36% of all the patients studied showed significant levels of CIC. When the patients eliminating F. hepatica eggs in the stool and/or with the acute phase of the infection were considered, the detection of CIC was higher (> 70% of the cases). A close relationship was observed between F. hepatica egg output and the incidence of CIC. Probably, specific parasite antigens occur in the detected CIC. A CIC involvement in the pathogenesis of acute hepatic fascioliasis is discussed.