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Human defensins and cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid of women with bacterial vaginosis
Author(s) -
Fan S.R.,
Liu X.P.,
Liao Q.P.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2008.05.020
Subject(s) - bacterial vaginosis , medicine , vaginal flora , immunology , physiology , microbiology and biotechnology , gastroenterology , gynecology , biology
Objective To measure the concentrations of interferon gamma (IFN‐γ), interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, human β‐defensin 2 (HBD‐2), and human defensin 5 (HD‐5) in the vaginal lavage fluid (VLF) of healthy women and women with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Methods VLF samples were obtained from 73 women with BV, 15 women with intermediate vaginal flora, 33 healthy women with vaginal pH greater than or equal to 4.5, and a control group of 39 healthy women with vaginal pH less than 4.5. The concentrations of IFN‐γ, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, HBD‐2, and HD‐5 were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results Concentrations of HBD‐2 and HD‐5 in the VLF of women with BV were significantly higher than in the control group ( P < 0.05). IL‐4 concentration was significantly lower in the VLF of women with BV than in the control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusions HBD‐2 and HD‐5 may be involved in defending against invasion by BV‐related microorganisms and the decrease in IL‐4 concentration may increase susceptibility to BV.