Concentration of total serum IgE in parasitized children and the effects of the antiparasitic therapy on IgE levels.

Concentrations of total serum IgE in 90 parasitized children and 24 healthy control children between 7 and 11 years old were measured using enzyme immunoassay. Of 90 children, 46 were infected with Giardia lamblia, 26 with Enterobius vermicularis, and 18 with both of these parasites. The overall mean value of IgE in parasitized children was 170.17 ± 27.76 IU/ml, almost 24 of children had an IgE value of more than 100 IU/ml, and 5 showed a value of more than 1000 IU/ml. The mean value of IgE in control children was 39.41 ±14.68 IU/ml. IgE levels showed a significant difference between those two groups (p< 0.01). Children infected with G.lamblia were treated with metronidazole (15-20 mg/kg/day for 10 days), while those with E.vermicularis were treated with single dose mebendazole (100 mg/day), and in children having mixed G.lamblia and E.vermicularis infection, combination of metronidazole with mebendazole was used in therapy. After 15 days of the onset therapy, 73 children were reexamined for parasites and IgE levels. No parasite was found in this group. The mean value of IgE was found to be 145.12±28.19 and 76.56 ±19.63 IU/ml before and after therapy, respectively. There was significant difference in IgE concentrations between before and after therapy (p< 0.001). [Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center 1996;3(4):332-335]