Intravaginal and intranasal immunizations are equally effective in inducing vaginal antibodies and conferring protection against vaginal candidiasis.

Abstract

Oophorectomized, estrogen-treated rats were immunized by the intravaginal or intranasal route with a mannoprotein extract (MP) or secreted aspartyl proteinases (Sap) of Candida albicans, with or without cholera toxin as a mucosal adjuvant. Both routes of immunization were equally effective in (i) inducing anti-MP and anti-Sap vaginal antibodies and (ii) conferring a high degree of protection against the vaginal infection by the fungus. These data suggest that appropriate fungal antigens and adjuvant can be used to protect against candidal vaginitis, by either route.

• Authors: Flavia De Bernardis, Maria Boccanera, Daniela Adriani, Antonietta Girolamo, Antonio Cassone
• Journal: Infection and immunity (Infect Immun) Vol. 70 Issue 5 Pg. 2725-9 (May 2002) ISSN: 0019-9567 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11953420 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Fungal
• Fungal Vaccines
• Cholera Toxin

Topics

• Administration, Intranasal
• Administration, Intravaginal
• Animals
• Antibodies, Fungal (biosynthesis)
• Candida albicans (immunology)
• Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal (prevention & control)
• Cholera Toxin (immunology)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Fungal Vaccines (administration & dosage)
• Immunization
• Rats
• Vagina (immunology)