Vaginal allergic response in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the concentration of certain cytokines and immunoglobulin (Ig) E in the vaginal lavage fluid (VLF) of women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).


METHODS
Cytokin and IgE concentrations were measured in the VLF of women with VVC; women free of any genital infections acted as controls.


RESULTS
The VLF concentrations of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, and interferon (INF)-gamma were higher among women with VVC than in the control group; women with severe VVC had a higher VLF concentration of IL-4 than those with mild to moderate VVC; women with cured VVC had a higher VLF concentration of IL-13 than did controls; and women with VVC or cured VVC had a higher VLF concentration of IgE than did controls (P<0.05 for all).


CONCLUSIONS
Both helper T cells type 1 and innate response cytokines were shown to play a dominant role in the pathogenesis of VVC. This allergic vaginal response in women with VVC suggests that the form of treatment for VVC should be reconsidered.
Fan
S R
SR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
Liao
Q P
QP
Liu
X P
XP
Liu
Z H
ZH
Zhang
D
D
D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000032:analysis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000032:analysis; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry*; D044364:Vaginal Douching
D016207:Cytokines; D018793:Interleukin-13; D007376:Interleukin-2; D016209:Interleukin-8; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D007371:Interferon-gamma