Intravaginal Immunization of Humans with Candida Albicans

Abstract
Ten women were immunized intravaginally with a Candida albicans vaccine. Antibody was measured by a radioactive single radial immunodiffusion technique, and antibody activity was expressed as the area of the precipitin ring. The mean rise in serum antibody was 41 to 66 mm2. The mean rise in cervicovaginal secretion antibody was from 2 to 74 mm2. The cervicovaginal secretion antibody was removed by absorption with anti-IgA, but not appreciably by anti-IgG or anti-IgM. These results suggest that cervicovaginal secretion IgA antibody is locally produced and can be stimulated by local application of antigen.