Multiple choice

IgE levels are high in infections caused by

  1. Leishmania tropica

  2. Plasmodium falciparum

  3. Trypanosoma rhodesiense

  4. Trypanosoma cruzi

  5. Trichinella spiralis
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E Correct answer
Explanation

Parasites like Trichinella frequently increase the IgE levels, usually polyclonally. This tends to inhibit the protective effect of IgE by diluting out the specific IgE on the mast cell. Inflammation induced by mast cell degranulation leads to influx of IgG, which causes damage to the parasite.

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