Abstract
IgE antibodies (IgE-AB) have been investigated in patients infected with S. mansoni, S. haematobium, S. mansoni and S. haematobium or S. intercalatum using an enzyme immuno assay based on the RAST principle. In the patients with schistosomiasis IgE-AB to the homologous antigen were demonstrated in 84% of monoinfected and in 100% of the mixed-infected individuals. Within the mixed-infected patient group IgE-AB to S. mansoni antigen were significantly higher than to S. hematobium . Cross-reactivity of IgE-antibodies was proved by use of S. heamatobium and S. japonicum antigen in S. mansoni monoinfection.