IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES IN ONCHOCERCIASIS IN CAMEROON

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (2) , 111-120
Abstract
Immunological studies were undertaken in a group of 20 patients with varying clinical manifestations of onchoceriasis. Significantly higher levels of immunoconglutinin, IgG [immunoglobulin G] and IgM, and alterations in C3 [the 3rd complement component] levels were found in the patient group than in controls. IgG and IgM complement-fixing antibodies to microfilariae of Onchocerca volvulus were detected in the sera of these patients. The lymphocyte transformation rate following PHA [phytohemagglutinin] stimulation was high in patients with localized skin lesions in which the microfilariae were difficult to demonstrate. There were low transformation rates obtained in those with diffuse lesions and in whom microfilariae were readily detected in skin biopsies. The significance of these findings is discussed.

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