Orenburg State Medical Academy, Orenburg, Russia
Aim. To study the prevalence and expression of antilactoferrin, IgA- and sIgA-protease activity of gonococci and state of local immunity during various forms of urogenital gonorrhea. Materials and methods. Ability to inactivate lactoferrin (ALfA), IgA and secretory IgA (sIgA) was studied in 28 Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains isolated from patients with localized gonorrhea and 26 strains isolated from patients with systemic signs of gonorrhea. State of the local immunity was assessed on the lactoferrin, IgA and sIgA levels, which were measured by immunofluorescence assay in ejaculate of 54 patients with gonorrhea and 18 healthy males. Results. Penetrance of ALfA, IgA- and sIgA-protease activity of gonococci did not depend from form of infection. Expression of studied characteristics of gonococci as well as combination of ALfA and sIgA-protease activities were more prominent in patients with systemic signs of gonorrhea. The same patients had higher level of lactoferrin in semen and, in contrast, lower levels of IgA and sIgA compared with patients with localized gonorrhea. Conclusion. Strains of gonococci inactivating lactoferrin, IgA and sIgA depress mucosal barrier of urogenital biotope and create conditions for the development of disseminated forms of gonococcal infection.
Zh. Mikrobiol. (Moscow), 2009, No. 4, P. 103—106