Immunoglobulin contents in cervical secretions of women with chlamydial cervicitis.

Contents of albumin, IgG, IgA and secretory IgA (S-IgA) were determined in secretions of 16 women with chlamydial cervicitis (study group) and 13 women with vulvovaginal candidiasis (control group). The amounts of respective protein in cervical secretions were higher among the women with chlamydial infection representing both an increased transudation and an increased local production of antibodies in the infected cervix. Specific chlamydial antibodies of IgG, IgA and S-IgA class were found significantly more often in the study group. Comparing the IgG/IgA ratios in serum and secretions gave indications for an active local secretion of specific IgA antibodies. This was also supported by the demonstration of specific S-IgA.