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). Method: Cytokin and IgE concentrations were measured in the VLF of women with VVC; women free of any genital infections acted as controls. Result: 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). Conclusion: 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. (C) 2008 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.