ABSTRACT
This chapter exposes physicians to the existence of this entity called allergic vulvovaginitis. The term "allergic vulvovaginitis" is thought by some to be a misnomer, better labeled a mucosal contact dermatitis that cannot be confirmed by skin testing on cornified squamous skin. An important emerging concept is that vulvovaginal microbial infections might arise as the secondary consequence of vaginal mucosal allergic response. When the corresponding allergen is present in the vaginal lumen, it binds to the surface-bound immunoglobulin E antibody and initiates a sequence of intracellular events culminating in the release of histamine and other protein mediators. Making the diagnosis of allergic vulvovaginitis is a difficult task. Dr. Paul Summers postulates that Th2 cytokine-mediated flaking of the vulvovaginal mucosa compromises the normal epithelial barriers and facilitates yeast adherence. The rapid recurrence of symptoms in women whose treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis has resulted in a microbiologic cure has always been of interest to investigators.
