title: Association between atopy and recurrent vaginal candidiasis.
abstract: To determine whether there is an association between atopy and recurrent vaginal candidiasis (RVC) and to evaluate the type-2 immune response in patients with RVC. Evaluation of immediate hypersensitivity skin tests to aeroallergens, measurement of total IgE and Candida albicans specific IgE and levels of IL-5 in 44 women with RVC and 26 with sporadic vaginal candidiasis (SVC). Statistical analyses were performed by Mann-Whitney test and chi(2) test with Yates correction. History of atopy (68%) and positive skin test (42%) were higher (P < 0.05) in RVC than in patients with SVC. No significant difference was found in total IgE, C. albicans specific IgE and IL-5 levels. There was a strong association between atopy and RVC, but type-2 immune response to C. albicans antigen was absent or similar in the two groups of patients.
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Imunologia, Hospital Universitario Prof Edgard Santos, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Neves
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: M A M
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: De Oliveira
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Giraldo
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bacellar
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000032:analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D015848:Interleukin-5; D007073:Immunoglobulin E