WOMEN WITH RECURRENT VAGINAL CANDIDOSIS HAVE NORMAL PERIPHERAL-BLOOD B-LYMPHOCYTE AND T-LYMPHOCYTE SUBSET LEVELS

Objective: To compare the B and T lymphocyte subset levels of otherwis e healthy women suffering from frequently recurrent vaginal candidosis with a healthy control group. Subjects: 26 unselected otherwise healt hy women of reproductive age with at least four attacks of vaginal can didosis in the past year and more than three vaginal isolates of a mod erate or heavy growth of Candida albicans. Controls were 26 patients o r clinical and laboratory staff (asymptomatic for genital infection) m atched for time of day and age within 5 years. Only three patients acc epted an HIV test. All proved HIV negative. No controls were tested. M ain outcome measures: T lymphocyte subsets (CD4 and 8) and B lymphocyt es (CD 19) as estimated from the total lymphocyte count and flow cytom etry. Results: No statistically significant difference between patient s and controls. Conclusion: No significant difference was found betwee n patients and controls in levels of lymphocyte subsets.