EFFECT OF TREATMENT WITH DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE ON IMMUNE-RESPONSES TO FILARIAL ANTIGENS IN PATIENTS INFECTED WITH BRUGIA-MALAYI

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 38  (3) , 227-234
Abstract
The effect of treatment with diethylcarbamazine (DEC) on immune responses to parasite antigens in humans infected with B. malayi was studied. In vitro lymphocyte proliferative responses to microfilarial antigens increased in patients who became amicrofilaremic after treatment with DEC. No changes in reactivity were observed in amicrofilaremic individuals who were given DEC or in a small number of patients who remained microfilaremic after treatment. Reactions to other antigens (PPD [purified protein derivative] and SKSD [streptokinase/streptodornase]) were not affected by drug treatment. Serum titers of antibodies to the sheath of B. malayi microfilariae did not significantly change during the observation period. Apparently DEC partially reverses the state of cellular unresponsiveness to parasite antigens associated with patient filarial infections.

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