Serum IgE levels in Chagas' disease.

Elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin E are found in many parasitic diseases caused by helminths. We have previously demonstrated that giardiasis was not associated with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E. In order to determine the influence of Trypanosoma cruzi on IgE levels of clinically symptomatic patients, a controlled study was performed. There was no difference between the serum IgE values from Brazilian patients with Chagas' disease and those from matched healthy Brazilian controls. We suggest that protozoan parasitic infections do not increase serum IgE levels.