[Beta-thromboglobulin concentration in chosen parasitic diseases]

Blood platelets are active elements in the body defense mechanisms, e.g. in antiparasitic immunology. A platelet stimulation may result from a direct contact with a parasite, increased IgG and/or IgE concentrations, the presence of complement, CRP or lymphokins. This study was aimed at establishing whether a parasitic infection could induce a platelet activation. The study involved 35 patients (30 patients were infected with Giardia intestinalis and 5 patients with Echinococcus granulosus). Blood for analysis was collected twice--before treatment (A1) and after treatment (A2). The concentrations of beta-thromboglobulin were assayed by means of the set of ASSERA-CHROM, according to the immuno-enzymatic method with labelled antibodies. The platelet count was determined with a haematologic analyser. Although platelets do not get into a direct contact with the parasite, an increase in the concentration of b-thromboglobulin is observed, and it may indicate the involvement of platelets in the parasitic disease.