Downregulation of IFN-γ production in patients with recurrent vaginal candidiasis

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Abstract

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 with Candida albicans antigens. 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 with C 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 to C albicans antigens (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 with C albicans antigen have low or absent IFN-γ production. IL-10 plays an important role in downregulation of the T-cell response in these patients.

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Carvalho, L. P., Bacellar, O., Neves, N., De Jesus, A. R., & Carvalho, E. M. (2002). Downregulation of IFN-γ production in patients with recurrent vaginal candidiasis. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 109(1), 102–105. https://doi.org/10.1067/mai.2002.120555

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