Multiple choice

IgE levels in blood are raised in infections with

  1. Trypanosoma cruzi

  2. Trichinella spiralis

  3. Trypanosoma rhodesiense

  4. Plasmodium falciparum

  5. Leishmania tropica
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B 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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