Regulation of the immune response to Candida albicans by monocytes and progesterone

Article Abstract:

Growth of the yeast Candida albicans in the vagina is prevented mainly by the actions of immune cells. The recurrence of Candida vaginitis, or recurring inflammation of the vagina due to yeast infection, may result from defects in cell-mediated immune responses. C. albicans may cause the abnormal production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by monocytes, a type of white blood cell. PGE2 blocks the immune response that restricts the growth of C. albicans, and promotes the infective ability of the yeast. The immune response to C. albicans is also decreased during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, coinciding with an increased incidence (number of new cases) of Candida vaginitis. (The luteal phase is the later part of the menstrual cycle, between ovulation and the onset of the menses, when progesterone levels increase.) Thus, changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle may alter susceptibility to C. albicans. The effect of removing monocytes and the influence of the female hormone progesterone on the proliferation (growth) of lymphocytes (a type of immune cell) in response to C. albicans were assessed. Removal of monocytes increased the immune response to C. albicans in eight of nine persons. Lymphocyte proliferation was decreased by 50 percent in the presence of high levels of progesterone, which occur in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. The removal of monocytes prevented the action of progesterone to inhibit lymphocyte proliferation, suggesting that progesterone acts via effects on monocytes. These findings suggest that genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors can alter the activity of monocytes, and thereby influence the cell-mediated immune response to C. albicans infection. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Monocytes, Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal, Vulvovaginal candidiasis, Candida albicans, Progesterone, Cellular immunity

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Relationship between circulating antisperm antibodies in women and autoantibodies on the ejaculated sperm of their partners

Article Abstract:

Some infertility can be explained by the presence of antisperm antibodies, proteins produced by the immune system to protect the body from foreign substances, either on the surface of sperm or in the female partner's blood. Sperm does not normally come in contact with cells of the immune system in the male body which therefore does not get a chance to develop antibodies against the sperm cells. In some cases, however, the normal barriers are disturbed and sperm is introduced to the immune system, producing antisperm antibodies. Likewise, sperm in the vagina can come in contact with the woman's immune system, producing antisperm antibodies. However, most women do not develop antisperm antibodies. There is a coating of prostaglandins, a substance which has an immunosuppressive quality, on the sperm's surface which ordinarily prevents a woman from developing antisperm antibodies; in addition, there is a thick protective wall of cells in the vagina. To determine whether sperm coated with antisperm antibodies induces an immune response in a female partner, 616 couples were evaluated. In female partners who had evidence of antisperm antibodies in their blood, 12.4 percent of the male partners had antisperm antibodies on the sperm's surface. In cases where the female partners had no antisperm antibodies in their blood, sperm surface antisperm antibodies were found in 6.5 percent of the male partners. It is suggested that spermatozoa with antisperm antibodies on their surfaces cause an immune response in woman after sex, which produces antisperm antibodies contributing to infertility.

Analysis, Causes of, Fertility, Human, Human fertility, Infertility, Spermatozoa, Sperm

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Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis by polymerase chain reaction in introital specimens from pregnant women

Article Abstract:

Specimens taken from the vaginal opening appear to give comparable culture results to specimens taken from within the cervix for identifying Chlamydia trachomatis and Trichomonas vaginalis. Both organisms pose a risk to the fetus. The ability to culture the vaginal opening would be helpful when disturbing the cervix is inadvisable and because skilled personnel are not required. Researchers obtained samples from both locations from 300 pregnant women. Samples from the cervix tested positive for C. trachomatis in 36 women and for T. vaginalis in 22 women. Vaginal samples missed C. trachomatis and T. vaginalis in one woman each.

Testing, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Trichomonas

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