[Chronic recurrent candidiasis of the genitalia in females due to non-albicans Candida spp].

1346 women with the symptoms of chronic recurrent urogenital infection were examined. The diagnosis of genital candidiasis was confirmed by the clinical manifestations (not less than its 4 episodes a year) and laboratory tests: budding fungal cells, mycelium and/or pseudomyselium in the vaginal smears detected microscopically, growth of Candida spp. on the Sabouraud's medium.

[Comparative analysis of general and local immunoreactivity in patients with chronic vulvovaginitis of mixed etiology].

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.

[Antibody avidity in candidiasis patients].

The properties of antibodies to Candida albicans in healthy persons, candidiasis patients and patients with somatic pathology of nonmycotic genesis were studied. Healthy persons were found to have the highest avidity of antibodies at the minimal neutralizing dose of the antigen. In all groups the titers of antibodies were inversely related to their avidity.

[Specific circulating immune complexes and antibody titers in candidiasis].

Titers of antibodies to Candida albicans and specific circulating immune complexes have been studied in patients with chronic candidiasis of the genitals, skin and mucous membranes. In most patients with candidiasis of the skin and mucous membranes specific immune complexes have been detected in the blood serum; their determination increases the diagnostic value of serological tests in this disease.

[The natural killer and fungicidal activity of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in candidiasis].

The activity of natural killers and the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclears for the extracellular killing of Candida cells in patients with different forms of candidiasis has been determined in the radiometric test with the use of targets labeled with 3H-uridine RNAase and in the fungicidal test. On the basis of the data thus obtained the conclusion has been made that in candidiasis changes in the activity of natural killers and fungicidal capacity depend on the severity of the disease and the stage of the process. Linear correlation between the activity of natural killers and fungicidal capacity in candidiasis patients at the stage of exacerbation and in healthy persons is absent.