Immunodiagnosis of human schistosomiasis using different immunoprecipitation techniques

One hundred sera of individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni and/or S. haematobium were examined for the presence of specific anti Schistosoma antibodies by means of different immunoprecipitation techniques: immunoelectrophoresis, immunodiffusion, immunoelectroosmophoresis (on two different supports), and electroimmunodiffusion. The immunoelectroosmophoresis proved to be superior to the other immunoprecipitation techniques, its main advantages being sensitivity, rapidity, and economic use of reagents. Precipitins against the antigen of the intermediate host, Biomphalaria glabrata, were demonstrated in 66% of the sera.