Neutrophil apoptosis in acute and chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Twenty eight patients with acute schistosomiasis mansoni and 32 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis were enrolled in this study as well as 20 healthy subjects as controls. Measurements of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, complement 3 (C3), culture of neutrophils and assessment of neutrophil apoptosis were done to all patients and control subjects. The results showed that in patients with acute schistosomiasis mansoni higher percentage of neutrophil apoptosis was found, compared to patients with chronic illness or the control subjects. However, patients with chronic schistosomiasis mansoni had the lowest C3 levels as well as the lowest leucocytic count.