IgE in experiemental schistosomiasis. I. Serum IgE levels after infection by Schistosoma mansoni in various strains of rats.

Serum IgE levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in four strains of rats, before and after infection by Schistosoma mansoni. Differences were observed in basal IgE levels, depending on the strain considered. Serum IgE rose 10--20 days after infection and the maximum level, between days 30 and 50, ranged from 14 to 60 times the basal level. One of the most characteristic features of IgE production in rat schistosomiasis was the persistence of high IgE levels for a long time after rejection of the worms.