Evaluation of immunization protocol in mice injected with Whole Cell Fraction antigen of C. albicans isolated from vaginal infections

Objective: The present study aimed to isolation and identification of C. albicans from women infected with vaginal candidiasis, then Preparation of whole cell fraction (WCF) antigen and testing immunization efficiency by evaluating the humoral immune response (by measuring IgG level in serum) and cellular immune response (by measuring IFN-γ and IL-4 concentration). Methods: Seventy five clinical specimens were collected from women suspected to infect with vaginal candidiasis were cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and CHROMagar Candida media and identified by biochemical test. Three of them identified by molecular diagnosis by using ITS1 and ITS4 primers. BalB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously and intradermaly with C. albicans strain M366B whole cell fraction antigen for 21 days to evaluate humoral and cellular immune response represented by IgG, Th1 and Th2 cytokine level by microiterplate ELISA. Results: Among total positive cases of vaginal infections only 43 (57.3%) was caused by yeast infections, whereas Candida albicans was recorded more dominance (30/43) 69.77% among other yeast infections. Humoral and cellular immune response represented by IgG, Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokine level were measured respectively. IgG level appeared in high concentration in immunized mice by comparison with control groups in a high significant differences (P<0.01), and immune response represented by (IL-4) concentration in immunized group was higher than those in control mice in a significant differences (P<0.01); while there was no significant differences in (IFN-γ) concentration between immunized and control groups. So WCF antigen can efficiently stimulate both humoral and cellular immune response by elevation both IgG and IL-4 concentration in sera of immunized mice. Conclusion: Different species of yeast are causing vaginal candidiasis, C. albicans was most prevalence than others in infection in V. candidiasis, . WCF antigen was immunogenic in regarding in inducing IgG and IL-4 secretion.