Immune responses after treatment for Schistosoma mansoni infections.

The changes in the immune responses of patients before and at 3 weeks after treatment with anti-schistosomal drugs were investigated. Lymphocyte responses to Concanavalin A and to worm antigens were inhibited after treatment, whereas responses to cercarial and egg antigens remained unchanged. Eosinophil levels were significantly elevated after treatment and were positively correlated with the increase in anti-worm antibodies (r = 0.587), and negatively associated with anti-egg antibodies (r = -0.727). Although the eosinophil-dependent cytotoxicity to schistosomula was not significantly enhanced after treatment, some increased killing was evident of half the patients (7/15). On the other hand, the ability of adherent mononuclear cells to stimulate eosinophil functions was markedly enhanced by treatment (P less than 0.001). These studies suggest that treatment may enhance some of the potentially protective host's immune mechanisms.