LOCAL AND SYSTEMIC IMMUNE CHANGES IN OPPORTUNISTIC VAGINAL INFECTIONS IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Subject and method. Fifty-nine patients with OVI and 56 healthy pregnant women were examined. Local innate immunity was estimated from the level of cervical mucus cytokines and the profile of cytokine gene expression in the vaginal cells, and the antimicrobial activity of vaginal discharge. To assess the systemic immune system, the authors examined its peripheral blood humoral and cellular components. Results. Innate immune changes were ascertained in patients with vaginal microflora dysbiotic disorders manifested as reduced antimicrobial activity in vaginal discharge and imbalance in cytokine regulation. Conclusion. Underestimation of the role of local immune disorders in the pathogenesis of vaginal infections may account for the inefficiency of antibacterial therapy and high recurrence rates.

opportunistic vulvovaginal infections, pregnancy, bacterial vaginosis, cytokines, cytokine geny expression