An Immunologic Study of Vaginal Candidiasis

Abstract

The immunologic reaction to Candida antigens was studied in 188 women aged 18-61 years. The four groups included 50 women suffering from various vaginal disorders, 50 pregnant women, 38 sterile women and 50 healthy women without candidiasis. The serum antibodies were determined by agglutination, fixation of the complement, counterimmunoelectrophoresis and immunodiffusion; allergy was determined by skin tests. A significantly higher antibody level and a stronger allergic reaction were found in women with candidiasis. The authors discuss determining immunologic reaction for diagnostic purposes and recommend isolating precipitating antibodies and performing skin tests with the mannan-protein antigens in addition to microscopy and culture.