Susceptibility of middle adolescent females to sexually transmitted infections: impact of hormone contraception and sexual behaviors on vaginal immunity.
OBJECTIVE
The resistance and/or susceptibility to infections can be influenced by patterns of immunomodulators. Based on this and the high rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescents, we examined the longitudinal relationship between sexual behaviors, hormonal contraceptive use, and bacterial vaginosis (BV) with vaginal-associated immunomodulators in adolescent females.


METHODS
Over 27 months, subjects completed detailed questionnaires, and consented to vaginal swabs for STI testing, and vaginal lavages for identification of immunomodulators including T-helper, proinflammatory, and chemokines. Concentrations of immunomodulators were correlated with each parameter together with prevalence of STIs.


RESULTS
Each parameter had a limited influence on vaginal immunomodulators with no evidence of any pattern(s) associated with infection. Conversely, the local presence of proinflammatory cytokines and neutrophils in those with an STI indicated some immune responsiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
Sexual behaviors, contraceptive usage, and BV do not appear as factors in susceptibility of adolescents to STIs through the influence of local immunomodulators.
Barousse
Melissa M
MM
Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70772, USA.
Theall
Katherine P
KP
Van Der Pol
Barbara
B
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
Orr
Donald P
DP
Fidel
Paul L
PL
D000293:Adolescent; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity / Q000187:drug effects*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology*
D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal