Altered CD16 expression on vaginal neutrophils from women with vaginitis

ObjectiveReduced CD16 expression is associated with neutrophil apoptosis. This study aimed to compare CD16 expression on neutrophils in the vagina from women with normal bacterial flora and with vaginitis.Study designVaginal lavages were sampled from volunteers diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis (BV, n = 34), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VC, n = 43), BV plus VC (BV + VC, n = 14), and normal flora (NF, n = 51). Neutrophils were identified by expression of CD15, CD16 and CD24 surface markers as assessed by flow cytometry.ResultsCD16 expression was elevated in neutrophils from women with vaginitis (BV p < 0.0001; VC p = 0.01; BV + VC p = 0.0027) as compared to women with NF.ConclusionThe reduction in CD16 down-regulation is consistent with prolonged neutrophil viability and activity in the vagina of women with vaginitis. This may contribute to greater microbial clearance and, conversely, with inflammation-associated pathology.