THE PROTECTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS: LESSONS LEARNED FROM CLINICAL STUDIES AND ANIMAL MODELS

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a significant problem in women of childbearing ages and is caused by Candida albicans, a commensal organism of the intestinal and reproductive tracts. As a result of this commensalism, most healthy individuals have demonstrable Candida -specific adaptive...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International reviews of immunology 2002-11, Vol.21 (6), p.515-548
Main Author: FIDEL, PAUL L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
animal models
Animals
Antibody Formation
Candida albicans
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal - immunology
Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal - physiopathology
cell-mediated immunity
Female
Humans
Immunity, Cellular
Immunity, Innate
Models, Animal
mucosal immunity
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
vaginal candidiasis
vaginal mucosa
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Summary:Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) is a significant problem in women of childbearing ages and is caused by Candida albicans, a commensal organism of the intestinal and reproductive tracts. As a result of this commensalism, most healthy individuals have demonstrable Candida -specific adaptive immunity that is considered protective. In women with RVVC, a deficiency dysfunction of this protective immunity is postulated to affect susceptibility to infection. Although cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is considered important for protection against mucosal candidal infections, little is understood about specific host defenses that are important at the vaginal mucosa. Studies to date suggest that a compartmentalized local, rather than systemic, immunity is important for defense against vaginitis. This review will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding protective host defense mechanisms against vaginal C. albicans infections both from clinical studies and animal models. From these data, hypotheses are presented for what host defense mechanisms appear important for resistance susceptibility to vaginal infection.
ISSN:0883-0185
1563-5244
DOI:10.1080/08830180215015