Secretory antibody response of the cervix to infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Cervical secretions from 157 women were examined for antibody against Neisseria gonorrhoeae by an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test. Antigonococcal antibody was detected in 73 (97%) of 75 infected women, being of the IgG class in 73 (97%), of the IgA class in 71 (95%), and of the IgM class in 29 (39%). IgM antibody was nearly always associated with infections of less than 15 days' duration. Immunoglobulin G, reactive with N. gonorrhoeae, was found in 23 (33%) of 70 non-infected women; of these, 19 had non-gonococcal cervicitis. Neither IgA nor IgM antibodies were detected in these women. Antigonoccal IgA and IgG was found in each of 12 women who had no evidence of infection but were contacts of infected men. Successful treatment resulted in a rapid decline in IgA antibody activity but a more gradual decrease in IgG reactivity.