Plasma levels of interlukin-۴ and Interferon- in patients with chronic or healed cutaneous leishmaniasis

Objective(s):In this study, the serum level of interferon-γ (IFN- γ) and interlukin-۴ (IL-۴) was evaluated as a marker of Th۱ and Th۲ immune response that influence the clinical course of cutaneous leishmaniasis[r۱] . Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on ۴۴ cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (۲۱ cases with healed lesions and ۲۳ cases with chronic non-healing lesions. Thirty-two non-infected persons living in the area were considered as controls. Serum levels of IFN- γ and IL-۴ were determined using ELISA, and the results along with clinical data were analyzed using SPSS ۱۱.۵. Results: Serum IFN-γ level was not significantly different between various patient groups and control (P=۰.۲۷), but the serum level of IL-۴ in patient groups was higher than in healthy subjects, and it was higher in patients with non-healed chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis than those with healed lesions (P<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: Serum IL-۴ level is a good marker for evaluation of the clinical course of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Keywords:

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis , Interferon-γ , Interlukin-۴ , T helper cel