Total and specific IgE levels in human hydatid disease determined by enzyme immunoassay: serological follow-up after surgery.

The evolution of both specific and nonspecific IgE in a long-term follow-up after surgery in patients with human hydatid disease was studied. Enzyme immunoassays using cyanogen bromide-activated cellulose discs as solid phase were employed. One hundred and nine postoperative serum samples from 26 patients undergoing surgery for hydatid disease were studied. Imaging studies were also carried out during the follow-up. In 8 of 26 patients, remaining cysts were detected during the follow-up. One year after surgery, total IgE levels decreased to normal values in 84.6% of the total number of patients, in 94.5% of the cases in which no remaining cysts were detected, and in 62.5% of the patients with remaining hydatid cysts. These data highlight the poor value of an isolated postoperative IgE determination as a diagnostic marker for remaining hydatidosis. On the contrary, 1 year after surgery, the levels of anti-Echinococcus IgE decreased in 55% of the patients without residual cysts and in 50% of the total number of patients. In six patients without remaining hydatid cysts, the levels of specific IgE increased 1 year after the surgery. In the group of patients with remaining cysts only in three patients did the values of specific IgE decrease, although they remained significant. Thus, 1 year after surgery, anti-Echinococcus IgE levels were still evident in all patients, although in those without remaining cysts there was a predominance of decreasing values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)