Parasitosis is a major health problem in Nigeria with 50% prevalence among urban dwellers and 68% prevalence among rural population. Serum IgE differs with allergy and chronicity of infection but information on IgE levels in humans with different classes of parasites is scarce. Stool and blood specimens collected from apparently healthy, asymptomatic, school children were examined for ova, cysts and larvae of intestinal parasites and for trophozoites of Plasmodium species respectively. Serum IgE level was measured by ELISA method while stool examination and malaria parasite examination were carried out microscopically by wet preparation and thick film respectively. 64(74%) children had helminthic infection while 23(26%) had protozoan infection. The mean serum level of IgE was significantly elevated in children with helminthiasis or protozoan infection compared with control. Also, there was a significant reduction in mean IgE level in children with helminthiasis compared with protozoan infection. It is therefore suggested that IgE participates in protection against parasitic infections and that serum IgE level may be used to differentiate helminthiasis from protozoan infection.
