Lactoferrin in cervical mucus as a biochemical marker for inflammation

Lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein, has been proposed to act as an anti-infective agent and has been used as a diagnostic marker in several inflammatory disorders. A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay developed earlier was used for lactoferrin estimation in cervical mucus. A brief study was undertaken to observe if lactoferrin is detectable in cervical mucus and to correlate its level with reproductive tract infection, if present. One hundred and twelve cervical mucus samples were collected from healthy as well as infected females. Some of these females were using CuT-200 intrauterine copper devices for contraception. Women were at different phases of their menstrual cycle. The presence of detectable amount of lactoferrin in cervical mucus was confirmed. The average level of lactoferrin in cases either with clinical symptoms of cervicitis or with proven infection by PAP smear was significantly (t=7.6, P<0.01) higher than the normal controls. CuT users have higher (P<0.01) mean level of lactoferrin than corresponding non-users.