Possible role of interleukin 21 and interleukin 33 in patients with genital warts.

ABSTRACT

Genital warts (GWs) are most prevalent sexually transmitted infections, presenting especially among the sexually active young population of both sexes. Efficient cell-mediated immunity is needed for regression of GWs. To clarify the reactivity of cellular immunity among patients with GWs by means of measurements of their levels of serum interleukin (IL)-21 and IL-33, hence, to identify the possible role of IL-21 and IL-33 in GWs, this study aimed to evaluate serum levels of IL-21 and IL-33 among patients with GWs in comparison with the results of the controls. Levels of serum IL-21 and IL-33 were assayed utilizing commercially enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay kits in 45 patients with GWs and 45 healthy control subjects. Levels of serum IL-21 and IL-33 were significantly decreased among patients with GWs in comparison with the controls (p < .0001). There was a highly significant positive correlation between IL-21 and IL-33 (r = .73, p < .0001). Low levels of serum IL-21 and IL-33 could have a contributive role in development, persistence, severity, and recurrence of GWs which rely basically on the defectiveness of cell-mediated immunity. This could receive new light on nonconventional strategies for the prospective medical therapies of GWs by means of regulation of IL-21 and IL-33.