ABNORMALITIES OF LYMPHOCYTE TRANSFORMATIONS IN WOMEN WITH CONDYLOMATA ACUMINATA

Abstract

The cellular immunity of 16 women with recalcitrant condylomata acuminata was investigated with an in vitro assay of antigen-induced lymphocyte transformations. Results were compared to those of 24 age-matched controls. Lymphocyte transformation responses (in counts per minute) for women with condylomata were much lower than controls for phytohemagglutinin-P, 32,285 and 60,015, (P < .001); for concanavalin A, 28,664 and 58,605, (P < .001); and for pokeweed mitogen, 34,941 and 73,394 (P < .0001). No significant differences in lymphocyte transformations were noted between the 2 groups to Candida or streptikinase-streptodornase antigens. Immunosuppressive diseases, recurrent infections and intraepithelial noeplasms of the genital tract were more frequent in the group of women with condylomata, and this seems to clinically substantiate the depressions noted in their in vitro cellular immunity. A refractory course of condyloma acuminatum in some women may be a reflection of an underlying state of immunosuppression.