Serum IgE levels in amoebiasis.

Elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) are found in many parasitic diseases. In order to determine the influence of Entamoeba histolytica on IgE levels of clinically symptomatic patients with intestinal amoebiasis, a controlled study was performed. There was no difference between the serum IgE values from Brazilian patients with amoebiasis and those from age-, race- and sex-matched normal Brazilian controls. Based also on our previous similar studies on giardiasis and Chagas' disease, we conclude that protozoan infections do not elevate serum IgE levels.