In our survey there was an
association between raised serum IgE and the
presence of A. lumbricoides eggs in the stools
of the subjects, but the association although
statistically significant is not impressive. No
other statistically significant associations between
gut or urinary parasites and IgE were
demonstrable. Our studies of fecal and urinary
parasites also failed to demonstrate any
likely causal association between these parasitic
infestations and any other immunoglobulin
abnormalities, autoantibody occurrence,
or the presence of hepatitis B antigenemia.
Our immunoglobulin results show elevated
serum IgG and 1gM and normal IgA concentrations,
as compared with developed world
standards. These results are similar to those
reported by Rowe et a!. (32) in a West African
(Gambia) population. MacGregor et a!.