Microbial Skin Tests in Patients with Chronic Vaginal Candidiasis

Overview

In a group of 80 patients with chronic vaginal candidiasis and 23 healthy women the results ofintradermal skin tests with antigens of microbial species Candida albicans, Candida glabrata,Candida krusei, Propionibacterum acnes were compared mutually and with controls, i.e. the vehicleof the diagnostic antigen. The tests were performed on the palmar surface of the forearm, theimmediate reading of the reaction was taken after 20 minutes, the delayed one after 24 hours.Statistical analysis of immediate skin tests revealed in the sick women, as compared with thehealthy ones, a significant hypersensitivity only to antigens of Candida albicans (p < 0.05). Oncomparison of skin reactions of the delayed type in the group of patients a significantly reducedresponse to all tested mycotic microorganisms was found - Candida albicans (p < 0.05), Candidakrusei and glabrata (p < 0.01).The confirmed hypersensitivity of the immediate type to antigens of Candida albicans along withthe significantly reduced delayed cellular response to candidae could play a role in the pathogenesisof the disease and protracted course with a tendency of relapses. Based on these findings it may beexpected in chronic vaginal candidosis that a prolonged therapeutic effect will be produced ratherby vaccination or other immunostimulating treatment than by local or systemic treatment withantimycotic agents.

Key words:
skin tests - microbial antigens - chronic vaginal candidiasis