title: Humoral immunity in vaginal candidiasis.
abstract: Serum antibody titers to Candida albicans were estimated in 37 women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis and in 148 normal American and Finnish subjects, using the passive-hemagglutination technique. The antibody titers ranged from 0 to 16 in normal individuals and 4 to 256 in vaginal candidiasis patients. Antibodies to C. albicans in the sera of vaginal candidiasis patients were found to be the secretory immunoglobulin A type, as determined by gel filtration and double-diffusion tests. The results were confirmed by the indir-ct fluorescent-antibody technique. Our findings suggest that, in vaginal candidiasis, the antibody response is mainly local, consisting of secretory immunoglobulin A, some of which finds its way into systemic circulation.
mesh_terms: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D012698:Serologic Tests; D014623:Vaginal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M