HETEROGENEITY AMONGST INFECTED CHILDREN IN IGE ANTIBODY REPERTOIRE TO THE ANTIGENS OF THE PARASITIC NEMATODE ASCARIS

Plasmas from a sample of 6-year-old children chronically infected with Ascaris lumbricoides were examined by immunoblotting for IgE antibody to the pseudocoelomic fluid of adult parasites. This revealed a high degree of heterogeneity in the antibody repertoire to putative allergens of the parasite, such that none of those screened had identical recognition patterns. This heterogeneity occurred despite the fact that infection with A. lumbricoides involves both tissue-invasive and intestinal phases of the infection, which should result in close contact between the immune system and potentially allergenic components of the parasite.