Analysis of T-Cell Immunity in Women With Vaginal Microbiota Disorders Under Complex Treatment

Abstract

Introduction. Immunological aspects of vaginal microbiota encompass the state of humoral and cellular immunity, which serves the primary function of nonspecific immune system stimulation. Therefore, alterations in its species composition lead to numerous disruptions in both cellular and humoral immune responses. The aim of the study – to investigate the parameters of T-cell immunity in women of reproductive age with vaginal microbiota disorders. Research Methods. We examined 115 women of reproductive age with vaginal microbiota disorders. To treat bacterial vaginosis in the third group of women according to the “Anomalous Vulvovaginal Discharge” treatment protocol, we selected the antibiotic metronidazole. In the second group with an intermediate type of vaginal microbiota, probiotics containing live Lactobacillus casei IMB B-7280 strains in the form of capsules and suppositories were used to normalize the species composition. After applying comprehensive therapy, we assessed the indicators of T-cell immunity in the study groups before treatment and one month after treatment. Results and Discussion. When studying T-cell immunity in women of reproductive age with vaginal microbiota disorders, no statistically significant changes in the levels of T-cells (CD3+, CD19-), T-helpers (CD4+, CD8-), and T-suppressors/T-cytotoxic cells (CD4-, CD8+) were found within the reference norms. However, statistically significant differences in T-suppressors/T-cytotoxic cells (CD4-, CD8+) were observed before treatment depending on the study groups. The lowest statistically significant level of these cells was found in the group of women with bacterial vaginosis, but the indicators of this immune branch tended to increase compared to the control group after complex treatment. After probiotic therapy, there was a tendency to increase T-helpers (CD4+, CD8-) in women with an intermediate type of vaginal microbiota. Conclusions. In conclusion, the analysis of the studied parameters of cellular immunity in women with vaginal microbiota disorders revealed a statistically significant decrease in T-suppressors/T-cytotoxic cells (CD4-, CD8+), which deepened as the vaginal microbiota disorder progressed. This indicates the influence of the species composition of vaginal microbiota on the T-suppressor/T-cytotoxic cellular immune branch.