Role of specific immunoglobulin E to excretory-secretory antigen in diagnosis and prognosis of hookworm infection.

Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and specific IgE were assayed by a radioimmunosorbent test and a reverse enzyme immunoassay in patients with hookworm infections before and after treatment. A total of 77 subjects (30 patients with hookworm infections and 47 subjects as controls) were studied. Both specific and total IgE levels in serum and jejunal juice were raised in hookworm patients. There was a significant decrease in IgE levels after therapy. Total IgE levels were raised in other nematode infections, but specific IgE levels were low. The reverse enzyme immunoassay for specific IgE was highly specific (96%) and sensitive (100%) and may be used in the serodiagnosis of hookworm infections.