A preliminary report on materno-foetal immunological changes in schistosomiasis. II. Circulating antigens and antibodies.

Twenty five pregnant simple bilharzial patients together with 8 non-bilharzial pregnant women and 14 bilharzial non-pregnant females were included in this study. Circulating bilharzial antigens were tested in all groups by the IHA technique. Both IHA and COP were used for detection of bilharzial antibodies in the same groups.

A preliminary report on the materno-foetal immunological changes in schistosomiasis. I. Immunoglobulin changes.

Twenty five simple bilharzial pregnant females together with eight control non-bilharzial gravid women were included in this study. Quantitation of immunoglobulins G and M was performed on both maternal and cord blood sera. The transmission of IgG through the placenta was suggested by the trend for positive correlation between foetal and maternal IgG levels.