[Immunoenzyme assay of parasite-specific IgG4 antibodies in schistosomiasis using the monoclonal antibody BL-IgG4/1].

Sera from 251 children living in endemic areas (Schistosoma mansoni or Schistosoma haematobium) and from 188 hospital outpatients in Ethiopia were evaluated for specific IgG4 antibodies reacting with Schistosoma mansoni adult worm antigen employing an enzyme-immunoassay. Patients with schistosomiasis (n = 140) possessed a significantly higher mean value of specific IgG4 antibodies than normal controls (n = 30) and individuals from different countries who had no schistosomiasis but are infected with other parasites (n = 114). Blood samples dried on filter paper were also acceptable in these test. The use of the test in diagnosis is compared and assessed with parasitological methods.