Relationship between intensity of infection and immunomodulation in human schistosomiasis. I. Lymphocyte subpopulations and specific antibody responses.

Cellular and humoral immune responsiveness in 44 Sudanese children with schistosomiasis was studied and related to the intensity of infection. The parasite load was quantitated by accurate assessment of the excretion of ova of S. mansoni and S. haematobium in stool and urine, respectively. Lymphocyte subpopulations (T3+, T4+, T8+, TAC+, HNK1+, Ia+, SIg+, LGL+, ANAE+) as well as specific IgE and IgG antibodies to adult schistosome antigens were determined. The relationships existing between intensity of infection and cellular and humoral immune responsiveness revealed a distinct pattern of anti-parasite immunity: The percentage of pan-T cells (T3+) and the T helper (T4+):T suppressor (T8+) ratio were inversely correlated to the intensity of infection. In contrast, the percentage of T suppressor cells positively correlated to the parasite load. Ia+, TAC+, HNK1+ and T4+ cell counts did not show a significant relationship to worm burden. Specific IgE and IgG antibodies to S. mansoni and S. haematobium adult worm antigen clearly increased with the parasite load. The dichotomy of decreased T cell parameters and increased antibody response in heavily infected individuals represents a unique feature in helminthic infections.