Immunologic studies of human schistosomiasis. II. Interrelationship of serum and ascitic fluid histamine, IgE and total eosinophils in acute and chronic human schistosomiasis.

Sera and ascitic fluid of 26 patients with acute and chronic schistosomiasis were studied for the determination of histamine levels, IgE and total eosinophil counts and their correlation with the clinical manifestations of the disease. Serum histamine levels were significantly increased in acute and chronically infected patients. Serum IgE levels were markedly increased in all patients with S. mansoni infection and S. haematobium infection and moderately elevated in chronic patients. Eosinophilia was found in 60% of patients with S. mansoni infection and in 83% with S. haematobium infection. Ascitic fluid analysis revealed the presence of IgE and high concentrations of histamine. There was also a significant positive correlation (p less than 0.01) between serum and ascitic fluid histamine levels, as well as to IgE levels. These results support the contention that histamine and other immune system components may play a role in the pathophysiology of different stages of schistosomiasis.