Immunoglobulin levels and antibody to Candida albicans in human cervicovaginal secretions.

Abstract

Human cervicovaginal secretions were examined for immunoglobulin content and for antibody to Candida albicans. The predominant immunoglobulin class of the secretions was IgA, accounting for approximately 65% of the total immunoglobulin. Most of the IgA was eluted from Sephadex G-200 in the excluded peak and was associated with secretory component; it therefore had the characteristics of `secretory IgA'. With increasing age, the IgA content fell and the IgG content rose in cervicovaginal secretions. No IgE could be detected in the secretions. Antibody to C. albicans was found to be predominantly of the IgA class.