candida allergy

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In case any of you want it, I have a copy of the following article on

recurrent candidiasis, which discusses candida allergies as a possible cause

of vestibulitis.

Source: Contemporary OB/GYN, July 1999 v44 i7 p123.

Title: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of recurrent vaginal

candidiasis.(Statistical Data Included)

Author: S Witkin and o C Giraldo

Here are sections I found most interesting:

" In healthy women with normally functioning immune systems, infection of

mucosal surfaces by Candida is readily treated and rarely recurs. Conversely a

defective in vitro cellular immune response to Candida is demonstrable in many

women with recurrent candidal vaginitis. It sometimes is not appreciated that

recurrent C albicans vaginal infections often are opportunistic and secondary

to a transient deficiency in cell-medicated immunity. "

" Women whose T cells manifest a [Th.sub.2] response upon exposure to Candida

because of genetic and/orenvironmental (allergic) factors are less likely to

limit vaginal Candida proliferation and thus will be increasingly susceptible

to repeated episodes of candidal vaginitis.

In about 20% of cases, a vaginal allergic response can be implicated as a

predisposing factor for recurrent candidal vaginitis. Semen components,

contraceptive spermicides, vaginal douches, other chemicals or medicines that

may come into contact with the vagina, or C albicans itself, can serve as

allergens in sensitized women. The vagina's immediate hypersensitivity

response causes release of histamine, which stimulates macrophages to produce

prostaglandin [E.sub.2] ([PGE.sub.2]). ([PGE.sub.2]). inhibits production of

interleukin-2 by T lymphocytes, thereby transiently paralyzing the

cell-mediated immune response. Under these conditions Candida, normally

present at low levels in the vaginas of many women, are able to proliferate

and trigger a clinical infection.

Allergy-related candidal vaginitis also can be induced in nonallergic women if

the male partner has a genital tract allergic response. "