Quantification of Soluble Egg Antigen and Immunoglobulin E Levels in Serumof Schistosoma haematobium Infected Individuals in Relation to Egg Count inUrine

Egg count in urine (parasitology) is the widely accepted approach for quantifying S. haematobium infection levels in a population; however the parasitological method is less sensitive in light infections. In the present study we used an assay that detects soluble egg antigen in sera and related that to egg count and the production of IgE. Eighty five sera from egg positive individuals and 5 samples of healthy individuals in Eldwam locality -an endemic area of S. haematobium and 3 healthy individuals from non-endemic area were tested. Concentrations of soluble egg antigen (SEA) in serum are as sensitive as egg count in urine and can be more sensitive in detecting infections in individuals with light infection and negative urine for the eggs.