title: Comparative analysis of methods for collection and measurement of immunoglobulins in cervical and vaginal secretions of women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to systematically compare 3 collection methods, Sno-strips, wicks and cervical-vaginal lavage, for analysis of immunoglobulin concentrations in female genital secretions. In each of 8 women, absorbent wicks and Sno-strips were applied at 4 locations: the lateral wall of the vagina; the posterior vaginal fornix; the surface of the exocervix; and the endocervical canal. Cervical-vaginal lavage was then performed in 4 women with 5 ml PBS. Immunoglobulin and protein concentrations in lavage samples were generally over 100 times lower than in the secretions captured directly from mucosal surfaces with either Sno-strips or wicks. Capture of undiluted secretions with either wicks or Sno-strips allowed calculation of actual immunoglobulin concentrations at specific mucosal sites: for example, median IgA levels were consistently highest in the endocervix and lowest in the vagina. Such information may be crucial in evaluating the correlates of protective immunity against micro-organisms that infect or invade discrete regions of the genital mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quesnel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cu-Uvin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Flanigan
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Neutra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000276:immunology*; D004209:Disposable Equipment; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins