Schistosome Specific Antibodies in Individuals Co-Infected with Malaria in Southwest Nigeria

.Abstract. 

A cross-sectional study design in two primary schools in Ibadan and Akure was used to determine the prevalence or

urinary schistosomiasis, and the human humeral immune response to schistose antigens in individuals with

malaria co-infection. Urine samples were collected from 163 children, while 112 gave blood samples. Malaria

parasitaemia was determined by microscopy after Giernsa staining and schistdsomiasis by centrifugation technique.

Serum samples were analyzed for antibodies to emde S. mansoni soluble egg, adult worm antigens, and crude S.

haematobium egg antigen by gUSA. The sample population consisted 'of 40% (62/163) infected with

schistosomiasis, 31% (501163) with malaria, and 6% (10/163) co-infected. All the co-infected students had

asymptomatic malaria with parasite densities ranging from 200 - 4,420 parasjtes/ul blood. IgG :itres. to the vario.us

Schistosoma antigens did not vary significantly. However, antibody titres to the soluble egg antigen Increased WIth

age of volunteers. Antigen specific isotype distribution showed a higher prevalence fJgG3 andlgG4.