Abstract
Background: Antibiotics are known to be effective in treating bacterial infectious disease. Changes in microflora and mucosal dysbiosis may take place after antibiotic treatment. We investigated in this research the effect of anti-Helicobacter pylori treatment (AHT) on local immunity of the female genital tract.
Methods: The study identified the levels of cytokines IL-8 and TNF-α in vaginal secretion in a group of female patients with Helicobacter-associated acid-related diseases who were or were not treated with antibiotics against Helicobacter Pylori.
Results: Research outcomes turned out that the secretory cytokine (chemokine) IL-8 is dramatically increased in the vaginal mucosa in patients treated with antibiotics, specifically in post-menopause women.
Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment affects the immune status of the female genital tract.
Keywords: Local immunity, female genital tract, interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Helicobacterpylori associated acid-related diseases, AHT, eradication lines.
Graphical Abstract