Studies on Echinococcosis: Nonspecific Serologic Reactions of Hydatid-Fluid Antigen with Serum of Patients Ill with Diseases Other Than Echinococcosis

Abstract

Summary Sera from 129 patients ill with liver cirrhosis, nephrosis, lupus erythematosus, multiple myeloma and diseases other than echinococcosis were tested with the hemagglutination test and flocculation tests. In the entire sample nine sera (7%) were positive by hemagglutination and 11 sera (8.5%) by flocculation; however, 36 of 129 (28%) showed some degree of serologic reactivity. In the cirrhosis sample, 17 of 35 sera (49%) were serologically reactive and in the other diseases from 10–25% of the sera showed reactivity. Analysis of some of the sera by paper electrophoresis showed no correlation between A/G ratios and reactive and negative sera. Analysis of Echinococcus granulosus antigens of porcine origin and E. multilocularis antigens from cotton rats revealed the presence of host protein in these antigens. Studies by agar double diffusion methods revealed that E. granulosus and E. multilocularis antigens have common antigens with host liver. Serologic activity with echinococcus antigens in patients with liver disease is believed to be due to the presence of autoantibodies which cross-react with host protein in the hydatid fluid antigen.