Abstract: 　Objective] To observe the cellular immune responses in a population of an endemic area of schistosomiasis japonica and the influence of praziquantel treatment.[Methods] Blood was taken from 129 residents (64 cases were egg positive,65 cases were egg negitive) of an endemic area of Poyang Lake before and 45 days after praziquantel treatment. Cytokines induced by the schistosome soluble egg antigen (SEA) and soluble worm antigen preparations (SWAP) in the peripheral blood cells including IL 5, IL 10 and IFN γ were measured. [Results] Among 129 cases, the cytokine levels were found much higher in egg negative individuals than in egg positive individuals.The cytokine levels induced by both antigens were increased significantly after praziqantel treatment especially IL 5 and IFN γ.[Conclusion] The cellular immune responses in the population in schistosomiasis japonica endemic area exhibited a general trend of down regulation and were elevated significantly after praziquantel treatment.

Key words: Schistosomiasis japonica, cellular immune response, treatment, cytokine.