Antibody changes in paragonimiasis patients after praziquantel treatment as observed by ELISA and immunoblot.

To observe antibody changes after praziquantel treatment in paragonimiasis, a total of 46 serum samples from 13 serologically diagnosed patients was collected for 4-28 months. The specific antibody (IgG) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All but one patient who needed retreatment became symptom-free within a week. Antibody levels were dropped near to or below a cut-off absorbance (abs.) of 0.25 in varying intervals from 4 to 18 months. Of 9 patients who were retested within 3 months, 5 revealed temporary elevation of antibody level. After the elevation, the levels began to decline slowly to negative ranges. If treated earlier after symptoms developed, the temporary elevation did not occur and intervals to negative conversion were shorter. By sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)/immunoblot, antigen-antibody reactions in individual patient faded gradually without significant changes in reacting antigen bands.