[Immunoenzymatic evaluation of serum IgE in onchocerciasis in Chiapas, Mexico].

Concentrations of total serum IgE were measured by an immunoenzymatic assay (Phadezym-PRIST) in 60 mexican onchocerciasis patients. In order to detect IgE antibodies against adult Onchocerca volvulus antigens, separately six onchocerciasis sera were depleted of IgE antibodies by using a mixture of Onchocerca gutturosa, Ascaris suum and Fasciola hepatica antigenic extracts coupled with sepharose 4B. Additionally, the sera were incubated with an adult O. volvulus antigenic extract coupled with sepharose 4B. The differences found between the IgE levels before and after incubation with heterologous antigens show that the median IgE value against O. volvulus adults antigens varies between 20 and 65 percent of the total serum IgE.