Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome following group A streptococcal vulvovaginitis in a breastfeeding woman.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a systemic, life-threatening illness usually caused by invasive respiratory tract or skin and soft tissue infections of Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus, GAS). We report the case of an adult woman with lactational amenorrhea and GAS vulvovaginitis progressing to STSS. She was admitted to our hospital because of fever, lethargy, and a 2-week history of vaginal discharge; she also had hypotension and multiple organ failure. Blood and urine cultures yielded gram-positive cocci and GAS. After 14 days of antimicrobial therapy, she fully recovered without any complications. The vulvovaginitis was most likely the portal of entry for GAS, which is rarely recognized as a causative pathogen of vulvovaginitis. Lactational amenorrhea is thought to be a risk factor for GAS vulvovaginitis. It is important for clinicians to recognize the possibility of GAS vulvovaginitis in breastfeeding women with vaginal symptoms and consider the necessity of prompt antibiotic treatment.

Immunological Methods for Treatment of Vulvovaginal Infections in the Preconception Period.

Traditional therapy and extensive use of medications and intravaginal autolymphocyte therapy show different results of the treatment of vulvovaginal infections. The purpose of the article was to explore safe and highly effective methods to treat vulvovaginal infections and diseases of the pelvic organs. The standard clinical and laboratory screening of 70 patients of reproductive age was carried out to diagnose the diseases of the reproductive tract. The screening included the description of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of vaginal discharge, examining the mucous covering of the vulva and vagina, microscopic examination of Gram-stained vaginal swabs, endocervical cultures, and diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections using polymerase chain reaction. Intravaginal autolymphocyte therapy was used together with traditionally-accepted treatment schemes (etiotropic antibacterial and antifungal therapy) in the treatment of the main group (40 patients). Traditional treatment methods depending on the etiology of the development of infection were used in the control group (30 patients). The IgM, IgA, and IgG levels were also observed because of the possibility of causing embryo rejection. This study shows that in case of relapsing vulvovaginitis and mixed infections accompanied by disorders of the immune system at different levels, the use of intravaginal autolymphocyte therapy in a comprehensive therapy can be assessed as advisable and pathogenetically substantiated.

Cyproterone acetate in the treatment of oestrogen hypersensitivity vulvovaginitis.

Oestrogen hypersensitivity vulvovaginitis is a rare chronic cyclical vulvovaginitis responsive to oestrogen suppression or antagonism. We present a case series of 16 patients with refractory cyclical vulvovaginitis, all of whom responded to oestrogen suppression with cyproterone acetate.

[COMBINED IMMUNOTHERAPY OF RECONDITIONAL CHRONIC NON-SPECIFIC VULVOVAGINITIS IN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED GIRLS].

Nonspecific chronic vulvovaginitis (CNV) is often a clinical indicator of immune deficiency, especially in young girls. The established violations of the functioning of various parts of the immune system (IS) in this pathology dictate the need to include in the complex of immunomodulatory therapy. The developed program of combined immunotherapy for immunocompromised girls allows to reduce the severity and duration of exacerbation of CNV, their frequency against the background of a significant reduction in the incidence of ARVI. Positive clinical effects were observed against the background of the restoration of the functioning of the IS. A protective effect was obtained (observation in a catamnesis for 1 year) - the duration of a clinically safe period increased from 6 to 11-11,5 months per year.

Vaginal cytokines do not correlate with postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: Exploratory pilot study to determine the correlation between postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms and vaginal cytokine levels. METHODS: Postmenopausal women (n = 34) not using menopausal hormone therapy and presenting with or without symptoms of vulvovaginal irritation were screened. Each participant underwent a vaginal examination and screening for vaginitis. A cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) with sterile saline and a peripheral blood sample were obtained. Main outcome measures were assessed by Luminex® X-map method on the Bio-Plex® platform. Main outcome measures were cervicovaginal and serum interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-α, GM-CSF, MIP-1-alpha and RANTES level. Cervicovaginal cytokines were adjusted to total protein concentration [pg/mcg protein]. RESULTS: Twenty-six postmenopausal women were enrolled (symptomatic: n = 15; asymptomatic: n = 11). There were no significant differences between groups: age, age at menopause, vaginal pH and all CVL and serum cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, TNF-α, GM-CSF, MIP-1-alpha and RANTES). GM-CSF was the most abundant vaginal cytokine (symptomatic: 146.5 ± 165.6 pg/mcg protein; asymptomatic: 146.0 ± 173.5 pg/mcg protein; p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal vulvovaginal symptoms did not correlate with vaginal inflammatory marker. There was no difference in serum or CVL cytokines between symptomatic and asymptomatic postmenopasual women. Vaginal symptoms after menopause are not related to the vaginal cytokine changes associated with loss of estrogen.

Hypersensitivity to aeroallergens in patients with recurrent vulvovaginitis of undetermined etiology.

AIM: Recent findings show that the vaginal mucosa can develop an allergic response to environmental allergens and there is a strong association between atopy and some recurrent vulvovaginal infections. In this study, we investigated prospectively the rate of atopy in patients with recurrent vulvovaginitis of undetermined etiology (RVV). MATERIAL AND METHODS: After being investigated by a gynecologist, 35 patients with RVV who were considered as undetermined etiology formed the study group. The control group consisted of 150 healthy females. Study and control groups were investigated for atopy by means of skin prick test for common aeroallergens. Associated allergic disease and familial atopy history of the subjects were recorded. RESULTS: The rate of atopy (11/35; 31.4% vs 9/150; 6%) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in the study group than in the controls. Familial history of atopy was significantly more frequent in the study group than in the controls (10/35; 28.6% vs 8/150; 5.3%, P < 0.05). RVV in atopics is more associated with seasonal rhinitis than in nonatopics (5/11; 45.4% vs 2/24; 8.3%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We concluded that a significant number of RVV is associated with atopy. Although the exact mechanism(s) of this relationship remains to be investigated atopy might be a causative and/or contributing factor in the pathogenesis of RVV.

Allergic vulvovaginitis in infancy: study of a case.

BACKGROUND: the role of dust mites (Dermatophagoides pt.) in the pathogenesis of allergic vulvovaginitis is still controversial. Association between this mite and atopic dermatitis, conjunctivitis, rhinitis or asthma is already known. Some authors study the possible relationship between some vulvovaginitis and local hypersensitivity. The aim of this study was to corroborate the allergic aetiology due to the mite Dermatophagoides pt. in a girl with vulvovaginitis and perennial rhinitis. METHODS AND RESULTS: we studied a nine year-old patient with symptoms of perennial rhinitis and unspecific vulvovaginitis of torpid evolution. In vivo and in vitro allergologic tests were performed as well as complete analytic tests including immunoglobulins, urine tests, nasal culture, exudative vaginal culture, and parasitic test. Skin test was positive for Dermatophagoides pt. as well as specific IgE (99.5 kU/L). Total IgE was elevated for her age (492 kU/L). In the rest of the complementary tests, no values out of normality or pathological findings were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: considering these results, it was suspected that the nasal symptoms and the vulvovaginitis presented by the patient are of allergic aetiology by hypersensitivity to the mite Dermatophagoides pt. The study did not prove relation with bacteria, parasites, Candida albicans or any inhalant allergens other than mites. After three months of treatment with oral antihistamines and topical chromones, as well as environmental avoiding measures, the symptoms totally yielded.

Allergic vulvovaginitis.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: The reader of this review will learn about the different clinical forms of allergic vulvovaginitis. This specific and important chapter has not been previously summarized and described in the medical literature. Vaginal mucosa is also able to show an allergic response similarly to the nose, eyes, lungs, and skin. Physicians should be familiarized with this kind of manifestation in order to make the proper diagnosis and evaluation of this entity. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE searches were undertaken since 1966 for citations of any kind of allergic vulvovaginitis. Relevant reviews and articles identified in this process were surveyed for additional and earlier citations. Textbooks of medicine, gynecology, dermatology, and infectious diseases have also been consulted. Old medical textbooks and journals of allergy and internal medicine were recovered from the Division of History of the Medicine of the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Federal Medical College), Belo Horizonte, Brazil. CONCLUSIONS: A great variety of allergens are able to provoke allergic reactions in the female genital tract. The immunology of the vagina, the influence of hormones, menstrual cycle, and psychologic factors are also highlighted in this review. A possibility of vaginal hyperreactivity is proposed in this text. Adequate management provides important relief of symptoms in the majority of cases.

[Comparative analysis of general and local immunoreactivity in patients with chronic vulvovaginitis of mixed etiology]. / Sravnitel'nyi analiz obshchei i mestnoi immunoreaktivnosti u bol'nykh khronicheskim vul'vovaginitom smeshannoi étiologii.

The clinical and pathogenetic importance of local immunity in patients with chronic vulvovaginitis (CVV) caused by fungi of the genus Candida or by mixed microflora was studied. 73 patients were examined during the period of exacerbation and 11 patients, at the phase of the remission of the disease. The levels of interferon, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in vaginal washings (VW) were determined for the evaluation of local reactiveness and the subpopulation composition of peripheral blood lymphocytes was established. Patients with CVV in the phases of exacerbation and remission were found to have essential differences in the content of cytokines in VW, while the results obtained in the groups of patients at the stage of remission and control subjects were found to be highly similar.

[Gynecologic allergy to spermatic fluid. A case report]. / Allergie gynécologique au liquide spermatique. A propos d'une observation.

Seminal fluid allergy is a possible diagnosis in front vulvovaginal inflammations occurring rapidly after coitus. The type I reaction (revealed by the immediate hypersensitivity Prick-test) is most frequently encountered. In case of systemic symptoms, the circulating Ig E specific antibodies can be increased. Treatment is palliative (condoms, antihistamines cream). In case of systemic disease, desensibilisation can be proposed. This infrequent but uncomfortable syndrome is also in question in some cases of immunologic infertility.

Vulvovaginites alérgicas / Allergic vulvovaginitis

A mucosa vaginal estß imunologicamente apta a responder a um estímulo alergênico. Uma variedade de antígenos envolvidos nessas reaçöes, os mecanismos, as conseqüências e o tratamento säo revistos, consideradando-se também a influência dos fatores hormonais emocionais, e dos irritantes inespecíficos.

In situ mycotoxin production by Candida albicans in women with vaginitis.

The virulence attributes of Candida albicans in cases of mucocutaneous disease have not been identified. Based on the recent finding that C. albicans is able to produce an immunosuppressive mycotoxin, gliotoxin, we analyzed vaginal samples of 3 women severely symptomatic for vaginal candidiasis and found that they contained significant levels of gliotoxin. Three control women who were not colonized with C. albicans showed no gliotoxin in vaginal samples. These findings raise the possibility that gliotoxin may play a role in the virulence of C. albicans.

Immune response of heifers to vaginal submucosal or subcutaneous vaccination and intravaginal challenge with Ureaplasma diversum.

Twenty beef heifers were randomly assigned to five equal groups and vaccinated: Group 1--in vaginal submucosa (VM) with Ureaplasma diversum ultrasonicated whole cells (WC) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA); Group 2--in VM with U. diversum cell membranes (CM) in CFA; Group 3--subcutaneously (SC) with CM in CFA; Group 4--in VM with CM alone; and Group 5--in VM with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) in CFA. A second vaccination with the same antigens in incomplete Freund's adjuvant was given after four weeks, and three weeks later, all heifers were challenged intravaginally with 3.6 x 10(7) colony-forming units (CFU) of U. diversum strain 2312. Immunoglobulins that reacted with U. diversum were measured in serum and cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) by an enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay. In groups 1 and 2, vaccination by the VM route with WC or CM antigens, stimulated high levels of U. diversum-reactive IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies in serum as well as CVM, but a low IgA response only in CVM. In group 4, VM vaccination with CM (no adjuvant) elicited a minimal IgG1 and IgG2 response in serum and CVM. In group 3, SC vaccination with CM antigen stimulated high IgG1 and IgG2 reactivity in both serum and CVM, but no IgA reactivity. Very little IgM reactivity was detected in the four vaccinated groups. Intravaginal challenge resulted in characteristic granular vulvitis in all vaccinated and control heifers, with all animals remaining culture-positive for the 35 day observation period. The infection stimulated a marked increase in the specific IgA response in CVM of the three groups vaccinated with either, adjuvanted antigen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Combined allergy to human seminal plasma and latex: case report and review of the literature.

The case is reported of a young atopic woman with combined Type I and possible Type IV allergy to human seminal plasma, as well as Type-I allergy to latex. Clinical symptoms were swelling and a burning sensation on the vulva and in the vulvovaginal area during or after coitus, followed by vesiculation, lichenification and the development of generalized eczema. Diagnosis was confirmed by investigation (RAST, prick testing, histology). Literature on the subject is reviewed.

Systemic cell-mediated immune reactivity in women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.

It has been suggested that impaired cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against Candida antigens is responsible for susceptibility to recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in adult women. To address this, we conducted a comprehensive longitudinal study examining in vivo and in vitro systemic CMI reactivity in RVVC patients. Results showed that RVVC patients frequently demonstrated a transient loss of Candida-specific delayed cutaneous skin test reactivity during episodes of symptomatic vaginitis. In contrast, in vitro peripheral blood lymphoproliferation and Th1-type lymphokine production by RVVC patients in response to a T cell mitogen and multiple Candida and bacterial antigens were similar to controls both during acute episodes of vaginitis and during periods of infection-free remission. These results suggest that women with RVVC have no detectable impairment of systemic CMI in peripheral blood and that transient reductions in skin test reactivity appear to be a result of vaginal Candida infection and not a predisposing factor to RVVC.

[Treatment of vulvovaginitis in girls]. / Lechenie vu'lvovaginitov u devochek.

The paper presents the data on the clinical and immunological investigations of 130 girls: 75 patients with nonspecific allergic and 35 with nonspecific bacterial vulvovaginitis, and 20 healthy examinees. Therapeutic regimens were developed with regard to the disease pathogenesis.