Women with recurrent vaginal candidosis have normal peripheral blood B and T lymphocyte subset levels.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the B and T lymphocyte subset levels of otherwise healthy women suffering from frequently recurrent vaginal candidosis with a healthy control group.


METHODS
26 unselected otherwise healthy women of reproductive age with at least four attacks of vaginal candidosis in the past year and more than three vaginal isolates of a moderate or heavy growth of Candida albicans. Controls were 26 patients or clinical and laboratory staff (asymptomatic for genital infection) matched for time of day and age within 5 years. Only three patients accepted an HIV test. All proved HIV negative. No controls were tested.


METHODS
T lymphocyte subsets (CD4 and 8) and B lymphocytes (CD 19) as estimated from the total lymphocyte count and flow cytometry.


RESULTS
No statistically significant difference between patients and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant difference was found between patients and controls in levels of lymphocyte subsets.
White
D J
DJ
Department of Genitourinary Medicine, General Hospital Birmingham.
Stevenson
M
M
Shahmanesh
M
M
Gentle
T
T
D000328:Adult; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets