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. Maternal IgG was significantly higher in the active bilharzial group compared with the non-active group. Foetal IgM was significantly higher in the active bilharzial group compared with the control non-bilharzial cases.