Absense of neutrophil response in bacterial vaginosis – Mechanism

• Unlike other bacterial infections, bacterial vaginosis (BV) is not associated with an increase in the number of neutrophils in the vagnial fluid
• The number of neutrophils may be normal or decreased
• Gardnerella organisms do not induce neutrophil chemotaxis
• The exact mechanism is not known
• Certain BV associated factors specifically prevent the rise in Interleukin 8 (IL-8) levels which is necessary for neutrophil chemotaxis

Ref : Mucosal immunology By Jiri Mestecky