Flowcytometric analysis of T-lymphocytes and serum tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in schistosoma mansoni patients.

Analysis of T-lymphocytes by flowcytometry, estimation of serum TNFa level by solid phase enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay (EASIA) and IHAT were done for chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients without hepatic fibrosis, with hepatosplenomegaly and 20 healthy controls. The sensitivity and specificity of IHAT in schistosomiasis mansoni were 85% & 90% respectively. Chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients showed increase in CD8% (27.3 +/- 5.3) and decrease in CD4% (44.2 +/- 4.68). Hepatosplenomegaly cases showed increase in CD4% (46.5 +/- 4.1) & decrease in CD8% (23.2 +/- 2.18). Serum level of TNF-a was significantly higher in cases with hepatosplenomegaly compared to either cases of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni or controls. No significant difference was between chronic schistosomiasis mansoni patients and controls. A correlation between hepatosplenonomegaly and increase of CD4 and/or decrease of CD8 and significant high level of TNF-a indicated TNF-alfa role in granuloma formation.