Polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes in patients with amoebic hepatic abscess.

In the course of tissue invasion by the amoeba, cellular immune responses are generated with the production of lymphokines by T lymphocytes that could induce activation of B cells. Therefore, it is possible that besides the induction of B lymphocytes specific for amoebic antigens, there could be activation of B cells with different specificities, that is, polyclonal in nature. IgM antibodies against some natural and synthetic antigens were quantified in both sera from amoebic hepatic abscess (AHA) patients and healthy controls by means of an ELISA. Titers in each case analyzed were significantly higher in AHA patients than in controls. Results indicate that there is polyclonal activation of B lymphocytes in this disease.