Abstract
The study included 202 non-pregnant women; 71 patients with clinical symptoms of VVC and 131 asymptomatic patients served as control. IL-23, IFN-α, and IFN-β were measured in the vaginal fluid by ELISA. Microbiological cultures were used for Candida detection. C. albicans was detected in 67.6% of patients, C. glabrata in 2 1.1% of patients, and 5.6% were infected with C. krusei or coinfected with C. albicans and C. krusei. Levels of IL-23 (p < 0.001) and IFN-β (p < 0.017) were significantly lower in the VVC group. IFN-α was elevated in the VVC group compared to the asymptomatic patients (p < 0.001). IL-23 and IEFN-β seem to play a protective role against VVC. Decreased levels in VVC patients suggest a compromised local immune response at the time of occurrence of symptoms. In contrast, IFN-α seems to be released once the infection has occurred. These cytokines may be prospective targets in the treatment and prevention of primary and recurrent vaginal infections with Candida species.
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