Correlation of Local Interleukin‐1beta Levels with Specific IgA Response Against <i>Gardnerella vaginalis</i> Cytolysin in Women with Bacterial Vaginosis

Abstract

Induction of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta may be a necessary event to elicit an innate immune response to control anaerobic genital tract infections. High levels of vaginal IL-1beta are associated with mounting of an antigen-specific mucosal immune response in women with bacterial vaginosis. Parallel induction of innate and adaptive immune response may be associated with protection from ascent of micro-organisms to the upper genital tract, and from acquiring viral infection through the vaginal tract.