title: Evaluation of Cytokines in Endocervical Secretion and Vaginal pH from Women with Bacterial Vaginosis or Human Papillomavirus.
abstract: Objective. To verify the relationship between vaginal pH and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and to measure cytokine levels in endocervical secretions of women with bacterial vaginosis (BV) or HPV. Methods. 173 women (16-48 years old) were enrolled and divided into groups: BV, HPV, and controls. Microbiological culture and vaginal pH were measured. HPV detect by PCR, and cytokines by ELISA (IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-α, and IFN-γ cytokines). Results. Of 173 women, 60 were control group (34.7%) and 113 were distributed in HPV (n=36, 20.8%), BV (n=36, 20.8%), vaginitis (n=30, 17.3%) and, BV and HPV-associated groups (n=11, 6.4%). Vaginal pH > 4.5 was related with HPV infection. IL-2 and IL-12 were increased in BV and HPV groups, and IL-6 (only BV group), compared to control group. IL-12 and IFN-γ were higher in HPV than BV group. Conclusion. The increase of vaginal pH was associated with HPV infection; BV and HPV groups had a Th1 cytokines immune response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, 74001-970 Goiâna, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Claudia Camargo
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: Eddie Fernando Candido
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Murta
authors.forename: Márcia Antoniazi
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Michelin
authors.forename: Cleomenes
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reis