IgE level in parasitic diseases before and after specific therapy

Fifty patients (3-12 years old) with parasitic infestation vz: E. histolytica, Oxyuris, H. nana, Ascaris and mixed infection were compared to ten healthy age and sex matched normal school children. They were subjected to stool and urine analysis total and differential white count, serum protein and serum IgE estimation before and after the specific treatment. The absolute eosinophilic count was high during infestation in all groups and significantly decreased after treatment (P less than 0.01). The serum IgE showed a significant increase during infestation in all groups. It decreased significantly after treatment in Entamoeba histolytica, Hymenolepis nana, and Ascaris groups (P less than 0.025). It decreased but with insignificant difference in Oxyuris and mixed infection groups probably due to the ease of reinfection and the need for longer duration of therapy. It was concluded that both serum IgE elevation and eosinophilia are important hallmarks of intestinal parasitic infections and the absolute eosinophilic count could be earlier indicator for responsiveness to treatment.