CYTOKINE AND ANTIBODY-RESPONSES IN WOMEN INFECTED WITH NEISSERIA-GONORRHOEAE - EFFECT OF CONCOMITANT INFECTIONS

The levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-p in sera and genital tract secretions from women with g onococcal cervicitis and other genital infections were examined. Cytok ines were not elevated in genital secretions from gonococcus-infected compared with uninfected patients. The level of serum IL-6 was higher in gonococcus-infected than in uninfected patients at recruitment. Ser um, but not local, IL-1 and IL-6 levels were elevated in patients conc omitantly infected with Trichomonas vaginalis or Chlamydia trachomatis in addition to Neisseria gonorrhoeae compared with levels in patients infected with any single organism. Concomitant infection altered neit her the total immunoglobulin concentrations nor the levels of antigono coccal antibodies in serum or local secretions. The results suggest th at N. gonorrhoeae induces only a limited cytokine and antibody respons e during uncomplicated cervical infections; however, the presence of o ther sexually transmitted disease-causing organisms can alter the syst emic cytokine but not the antigonococcal antibody levels.