Immunomodulation in the treatment of reproduction disturbances

Nouza K., Madar J.

Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague, Czech Republic

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (2001): 46 (1), 106. Abstract of VIII International Congress of Reproductive Immunology, Opatija, Croatia, July 2 – 6, 2001

Problem

Immune mechanisms play an important role in both male and female sterility. Even more frequent is the participation of immunity in autoimmune and alloimmune recurrent abortions. Immunopathologic reactions occur also in women suffering from preeclampsia and postclimacteric syndrome. To the important causes of female and male sterility belong chronic infections in the reproductive system.

Methods of Study

Treatment of all above mentioned disorders involved methods of immunomodulation, mainly local and systemic glucocorticoids, repeated high doses of intravenous immunoglobulines, anticoagulants (aspirin, heparin) and recently also oral enzyme therapy. In infectious processes, the rational use of antibiotics is inevitable.

Results

Immunomodulation ameliorates healing of male and female sterility, autoimmune as well as alloimmune recurrent abortions. Significant progress was also obtained in the treatment of adnexitis and prostatitis. Here, the clinical or subclinical immunological defect prompted us to use immunomodulators of chemical or biologic nature (among the latter, combination of oral animal and plant proteolytic enzymes). Their use in combination with antibiotics led to a more frequent and more effective healing not only in the infections evoked by "common" bacteria, but also in processes caused by chlamydia, mycoplasma, and ureaplasma.

Conclusion

Immunomodulation represents an important part of the complex therapy of male and female sterility, recurrent abortions and chronic infections of the reproductive system.