Local immunity in pregnant women.
Immunoglobulins IgA and IgG levels and Lysozyme-activity were examined in the vaginal fluid of 70 pregnant women and 30 non-pregnant women where microbiological examinations did not detect any pathological microorganisms. To confirm the local character of immune factors produced in the female genital tract, these factors were also examined in the sera. An increase of class A immunoglobulins was noted in the vaginal fluid and examined sera. IgA/IgG ratio as well as statistical calculations confirmed the local origin of antibodies within the classes. The lysozyme activity was 10 times greater in the vaginal fluid than in the sera. Both factors are relatively simple to determine and in women with recurrent inflammatory conditions of the vaginal tract can be used as indicators of the local immunity state.
D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis*; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology*
D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D009113:Muramidase