Humoral immunity of parasitized, malnourished children.

The nutrition, intensity of parasitism, complete blood count, and the serum immunoglobulin concentration of 63 children were studied. Hyperimmunoglobulinemia was present in the vast majority of subjects regardless of their nutritional status. The IgA and IgM concentrations were moderately increased, the IgG was increased threefold, and the IgE was markedly increased in concentration. The concentrations of the immunoglobulins were related significantly to the intensity of parasitism.