[Changes of serum proteins in schistosomiasis mansoni]

The total and fractional proteins were determined in 174 out-patients from a rural area that had schistosomiasis mansoni and had not received specific treatment, and in 51 subjects also from another rural area and therfore having similar epidemiological characteristics but not in the endemic area of bilharziasis. In schistosomiasis patients there was a notable change in the fractional proteins, the hypoalbuminemia and hypergammaglobulinemia being significant irrespective of the clinical forms of the disease. The intermediate fraction between the beta and gamma globulins, described by some authors, was not found, possibly due to the fact that the serums analyzed were from out-patients with the less serious clinical forms. In the group from the non-endemic area of bilharziasis hypoalbuminemia was the most significant alteration found.