BACKGROUND: A C-->T substitution at position -589 in the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene is associated with increased production of IL-4. Associations between this polymorphism and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), as well as vaginal concentrations of IL-4 and the anticandidal compounds nitric oxide (NO) and mannose binding lectin (MBL), were evaluated. METHODS: Vaginal samples obtained by lavage from 42 women with RVVC during the acute stage of the disease and 43 control samples were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IL-4 and NO metabolites. The -589 IL-4 gene polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction and endonuclease digestion. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, the nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman rank correlation. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Candida albicans was identified in 38 patients with RVVC; 3 others had infection due to Candida tropicalis, and 1 had infection due to Candida krusei. The IL-4 T,T genotype was detected in 59.5% of patients with RVVC and in 7.0% of control subjects (P < .0001). The frequency of IL-4*T was 76.2% in patients with RVVC and 23.3% in control subjects (P < .0001). The median concentration of vaginal IL-4 was elevated in patients with RVVC, compared with control subjects (P < .0001). Conversely, vaginal concentrations of NO metabolites (P = .02) and MBL (P < .0001) were reduced in patients with RVVC. There was a positive association between IL-4*T homozygosity and vaginal IL-4 levels (P < .0001) and negative associations between this genotype and vaginal NO (P = .01) and MBL (P < .0001) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced vaginal levels of anticandidal factors in IL-4*T homozygotes may increase susceptibility to RVVC.
BACKGROUND: A C-->T substitution at position -589 in the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene is associated with increased production of IL-4. Associations between this polymorphism and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC), as well as vaginal concentrations of IL-4 and the anticandidal compounds nitric oxide (NO) and mannose binding lectin (MBL), were evaluated. METHODS: Vaginal samples obtained by lavage from 42 women with RVVC during the acute stage of the disease and 43 control samples were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for IL-4 and NO metabolites. The -589 IL-4 gene polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction and endonuclease digestion. Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, the nonparametric Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman rank correlation. P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS:Candida albicans was identified in 38 patients with RVVC; 3 others had infection due to Candida tropicalis, and 1 had infection due to Candida krusei. The IL-4 T,T genotype was detected in 59.5% of patients with RVVC and in 7.0% of control subjects (P < .0001). The frequency of IL-4*T was 76.2% in patients with RVVC and 23.3% in control subjects (P < .0001). The median concentration of vaginal IL-4 was elevated in patients with RVVC, compared with control subjects (P < .0001). Conversely, vaginal concentrations of NO metabolites (P = .02) and MBL (P < .0001) were reduced in patients with RVVC. There was a positive association between IL-4*T homozygosity and vaginal IL-4 levels (P < .0001) and negative associations between this genotype and vaginal NO (P = .01) and MBL (P < .0001) concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced vaginal levels of anticandidal factors in IL-4*T homozygotes may increase susceptibility to RVVC.
Authors: Theo S Plantinga; Melissa D Johnson; William K Scott; Leo A B Joosten; Jos W M van der Meer; John R Perfect; Bart Jan Kullberg; Mihai G Netea Journal: Med Mycol Date: 2012-06-04 Impact factor: 4.076
Authors: Martin Jaeger; Theo S Plantinga; Leo A B Joosten; Bart-Jan Kullberg; Mihai G Netea Journal: Curr Infect Dis Rep Date: 2013-04 Impact factor: 3.725
Authors: W Mendling; K Friese; I Mylonas; E-R Weissenbacher; J Brasch; M Schaller; P Mayser; I Effendy; G Ginter-Hanselmayer; H Hof; O Cornely; M Ruhnke Journal: Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd Date: 2015-04 Impact factor: 2.915
Authors: Bart Ferwerda; Gerben Ferwerda; Theo S Plantinga; Janet A Willment; Annemiek B van Spriel; Hanka Venselaar; Clara C Elbers; Melissa D Johnson; Alessandra Cambi; Cristal Huysamen; Liesbeth Jacobs; Trees Jansen; Karlijn Verheijen; Laury Masthoff; Servaas A Morré; Gert Vriend; David L Williams; John R Perfect; Leo A B Joosten; Cisca Wijmenga; Jos W M van der Meer; Gosse J Adema; Bart Jan Kullberg; Gordon D Brown; Mihai G Netea Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2009-10-29 Impact factor: 91.245