Expression of Cytokines in Vaginal Secretion of Women with Yeast Colonization

Aim: Comparative analysis of local expression of IL-2, IL-10 and TNF-α was carried out to provide an insight to the extent and type of localized immune response associated with yeast colonization of the urogenital tract.

Study Design: Descriptive Observational study.

Place and Duration of the Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. January to June 2015.

Methodology: Cytokines were assayed using standard ELISA techniques. Cytokine concentrations were compared across multiple groups by use of the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's posts’ tests.

Results: There was a significantly elevated (p < 00.05) TNF-α concentration in women with yeast colonization (25.6 pg/ml) when compared to women with normal microbiota (22.2 pg/ml). There was also significant elevated level (p < 00.05) of average IL-10 concentrations in women with yeast infection (20.9 pg/ml) when compared to women with normal microbiota (14.8 pg/ml). However, there was no significant difference (p > 00.05) in the average IL-2 concentrations of women with yeast colonization and normal microbiota (10.4 pg/ml and 10.2 pg/ml respectively).

Conclusion: The study showed a significant pro-inflammatory immune response to yeast colonization, with a minimal humoral mediated immune response and no hypersensitivity. The local expression of TNF-α and IL-10 increases with the extent of yeast cell colonization.