Serum antibody & Th2 cytokine profiles in patients with cystic echinococcosis

Human cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is one of the most important and widespread parasitic zoonoses. T helper cell-2 (Th2) dominated immunity in CE is associated with increased susceptibility to the disease, while T helper cell-1 (Th1) cell activation is assumed to induce protective immunity. Hence, in order to investigate in vivo Th2 cell activation and serum complement levels, the present study was aimed to detect serum levels of specific IgG, IgE, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, C3c and C4 in confirmed CE patients.

Specific IgG levels in serum was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay using recombinant E. granulosus antigen-B/2 (RecEg-AgB/2) and serum IgE, IL-4, IL-10, C3c and C4 were quantified by nephelometry in 45 surgically confirmed patients with CE, and 10 healthy controls.

Specific IgG (P<0.0001), IgE (P<0.05), IL-4 (P=0.0197) and IL-10 (P<0.01) levels were significantly elevated in CE cases compared to healthy controls. IL-4 could be detected in 34 patients (75.55%) and six controls (60%) in a low concentration. The IgE concentration was elevated (>120 U/ml) in 36 (80%) cases of CE and in one healthy control.

Our results showed higher C3c and C4 levels in CE patients than healthy controls. No significant association was found between IgE concentrations and cytokine levels. The results of this study point to a cytokine profile suggestive of Th2 cell dominance in vivo in CE.