The profile of IgG and IgG subclasses of onchocerciasis patients

Abstract

In this study Onchocerca gutturosa was compared with O. volvulus in an ELISA test to detect Onehocerca‐ spefic IgG and IgG subclasses. The test was developed and standardized to detect Onehocerca‐spefic IgG and IgG subclasses in sera of onchocerciasis patients and endemic controls. Onchocerca volvulus and O. gutturosa crude water‐soluble antigens showed no significant difference in detecting onchocerca‐specific IgG antibody (T = 1·88, P > 0·05). The levels of IgG subclasses varied greatly. IgG4 showed the highest detected mean level (0·84 ± 0·59) and the other three subclasses showed considerably lower mean levels (IgGI =0·27±0·16, IgG2 = 0·24 ± 0·17, IgG3 = 0·28 ± 0·12). The status and score of skin lesions were found to have significant effect on the IgG and IgG subclasses levels (all P < 0·001). lgG4 showed a positive correlation with the microfilarial (Mf) load (r= 0·21, P < 0·03). IgG3 levels have a significant negative correlation with the Mf load (r=‐0·23, P <0·02), The biological significance of these IgG and IgG subclasses in onchocerciasis is discussed. Copyright © 1992, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved