Circulating immune complexes in human fascioliasis. Relationship with Fasciola hepatica egg output.

Circulating immune complexes were investigated by the 125I-Clq binding test in serum from patients with fascioliasis. Only 36% of all the patients studied showed significant levels of CIC. Nevertheless, when we considered only the patients eliminating Fasciola hepatica eggs in the stool and/or with the acute phase of the infection, the detection of CIC was very higher (more than 70% of the cases). In addition, a close relationship was observed between F. hepatica egg output and the incidence of CIC. This data suggest strongly the occurrence of specific parasite antigens in the detected CIC. The involvement of CIC in the pathogenesis of the acute hepatic fascioliasis is discussed.