[Immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni]

In the last years, the knowledge about immunodiagnosis in schistosomiasis has increased considerably. This was due to a better immunologic understanding of the host-parasite interaction and the evolution of the technical procedures by the introduction of new concepts and techniques. The search of more sensitive, specific, practical and less expensive diagnostic tests has led to the development of a great number of immunological tests that could complement the limitations of the parasitological diagnosis. The antigens of different life cycle stages of Schistosoma mansoni may be used as target for immunodiagnostic tests and the anti-schistosome antibodies in the sera of infected patients can be detected. The research of circulating schistosome antigens, the production of specific antisera and the application of these antibodies in immunodiagnostic tests have also been discussed.