Papillomavirus Infection and an Allergic Response to Candida in Women With Recurrent Vaginitis

To the Editor.—  A large percentage of asymptomatic women harbor latent human papillomavirus (HPV) in their genital tracts. In a recent study¹ using in situ hybridization, 57% of cervical smears with a normal morphology contained HPV DNA sequences. Expresssion of HPV DNA and proliferation of the virus at these sites result in the appearance of condyloma acuminatum (genital warts). The mechanism leading to HPV proliferation in the female genital tract remains unclear, but may involve immune suppression. In women with condyloma, lymphocyte proliferation^2,3 and natural killer cell activity⁴ are decreased, numbers of T-suppressor cells are increased,^3,4 and production of interleukin 2 and interferon gamma is impaired.⁴Recurrent vulvovaginitis is also associated with transient suppression of cell-mediated immunity.^5-7 In some women with this disorder, an allergic response to vaginal yeast, contraceptive spermicides, or semen components^7,8 may induce histamine and prostaglandin E^8,9—mediated immunosuppression.

Study.—