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.Objectives:To evaluate the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of allergy and clinical immunology 2002-01, Vol.109 (1), p.102
Main Authors: Carvalho, Lucas P, Bacellar, Olivia, Neves, Nilma, de Jesus, Amélia R, Carvalho, Edgar M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Cell culture
Diabetes
Disease
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus
Illnesses
Immune system
Infections
Pathogenesis
Patients
Tropical diseases
Womens health
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary: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.Objectives:To evaluate the T-cell response in patients with RVC and the ability of cytokines and cytokine antagonists to modulate IFN-γ production in cultures stimulated withCandida albicansantigens.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 withC albicans, purified protein derivative, or tetanus toxoid antigen.Results:IFN-γ production was absent or low in 11 of 13 women (84.6%) with RVC. Absent or low IFN-γ production was specific toC albicansantigens (189 ± 389 pg/mL), because high IFN-γ 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-γ 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 withC albicansantigen have low or absent IFN-γ production. IL-10 plays an important role in downregulation of the T-cell response in these patients. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;109:102-5.)
ISSN:0091-6749
1097-6825
DOI:10.1067/mai.2002.120555