Occurrence of Antibody in Human Vaginal Mucus. ∗

Abstract

Summary and conclusions

Using typhoid vaccine, soluble typhoid bacillus antigen, and specific agglutinin as a model antigen-antibody system, it has been possible to demonstrate the occurrence of specific antibody in human vaginal mucus as a consequence of active immunization. Vaginal antibody was produced in response to either parenteral or locally applied antigen and the response to the latter kind of antigenic stimulus was superior to that of the former. Vaginal agglutinin appeared earlier than serum antibody, reached a peak slightly sooner, and disappeared in 7-8 weeks though serum antibody persisted, often in relatively high titer. Vaginal antibody response to primary and secondary inoculation appeared to be substantially the same, and was not affected by menstruation or intervening pregnancy.