Immunological status of women with prolonged oral contraceptives and occurrence of giardiasis.

Immunological status of 14 women taking oral contraceptive for prolonged period (more than 6 months, low dose pill) was studied. Phytohaemagglutinin induced lymphocytes stimulation (PILT) was found to be significantly depressed in these subjects though T-lymphocyte subpopulation was found to be normal. Serum IgA and IgG levels in these cases were found to be normal but IgM level was increased. Though incidence of G lamblia infection was reported to be high in immunocompromised subjects, it was found only one out of 14 subjects taking oral contraceptive harboured the protozoa.