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Host defense during pregnancy: monocyte adherence and killing
1Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Pregnant women show reduced monocyte immune response against Candida infections. Their serum impairs monocyte function, making them more vulnerable to fungal infections compared to nonpregnant women.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Pregnant women exhibit increased susceptibility to Candida infections.
- Monocytes are crucial for host defense against Candida.
- Pregnancy-related serum factors may influence monocyte antifungal activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the association and killing capacities of monocytes with Candida in sera from pregnant and nonpregnant women.
- To investigate the impact of pregnancy sera on monocyte-mediated Candida clearance.
Main Methods:
- Monocyte association with radiolabeled Candida was measured.
- Monocyte capacity for killing Candida was assessed.
- Comparison was made between sera from pregnant and nonpregnant women.
Main Results:
- Basal monocyte functions were similar in both groups.
- Candida opsonized with pregnant women's serum showed reduced monocyte association and killing compared to nonpregnant women's serum.
- Serum from nonpregnant women enhanced monocyte association twofold and killing to 40%, while pregnant women's serum increased association 1.5-fold and killing to 28%.
Conclusions:
- Serum from pregnant women is less effective in enhancing monocyte association and killing of Candida.
- Pregnancy-associated serum factors may contribute to increased susceptibility to Candida infections.
- Complement or IgG levels did not account for the observed differences in monocyte function.