Human defensins and cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid of women with bacterial vaginosis

Objective: To measure the concentrations of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2), and human defensin 5 (HD-5) in the vaginal lavage fluid (VLF) of healthy women and women with bacterial vaginosis (BV). Methods: VLF samples were obtained from 73 women with BV, 15 women with intermediate vaginal flora, 33 healthy women with vaginal pH greater than or equal to 4.5, and a control group of 39 healthy women with vaginal. pH less than 4.5. The concentrations of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, HBD-2, and HD-5 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Concentrations of HBD-2 and HD-5 in the VLF of women with BV were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). IL-4 concentration was significantly lower in the VLF of women with BV than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: HBD-2 and HD-5 may be involved in defending against invasion by BV-related microorganisms and the decrease in IL-4 concentration may increase susceptibility to BV. (c) 2008 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.