Downregulation of IFN-gamma production in patients with recurrent vaginal candidiasis.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent vaginal candidiasis (RVC) is an important health problem with unknown pathogenesis. Although impairment of the T-cell response is associated with persistent or recurrent candidiasis, data on immunologic responses in patients with RVC are controversial.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the T-cell response in patients with RVC and the ability of cytokines and cytokine antagonists to modulate IFN-gamma production in cultures stimulated with Candida albicans antigens.


METHODS
Participants in the study included 13 patients with RVC and 7 control women with sporadic candidiasis. Cytokines were determined by ELISA in supernatants of mononuclear cells with C albicans, purified protein derivative, or tetanus toxoid antigen.


RESULTS
IFN-gamma production was absent or low in 11 of 13 women (84.6%) with RVC. Absent or low IFN-gamma production was specific to C albicans antigens (189 +/- 389 pg/mL), because high IFN-gamma levels were found in cultures stimulated with purified protein derivative (739 +/- 774 pg/mL) or tetanus toxoid antigens (1085 +/- 546 pg/mL). Monoclonal antibody anti-IL-10 enhanced IFN-gamma levels (750 +/- 753 pg/mL), and IL-10 suppressed this cytokine production in patients with sporadic candidiasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Mononuclear cells from patients with RVC stimulated with C albicans antigen have low or absent IFN-gamma production. IL-10 plays an important role in downregulation of the T-cell response in these patients.
Carvalho
Lucas P
LP
Serviço de Imunologia do Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Bacellar
Olivia
O
Neves
Nilma
N
de Jesus
Amélia R
AR
Carvalho
Edgar M
EM
D000328:Adult; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012008:Recurrence; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma