Interleukin-5 levels in relation to malaria severity: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The role of cytokines such as interleukin-5 (IL-5) in the pathogenesis of malaria remains unclear. This systematic review sought to synthesize variations in IL-5 levels between severe and uncomplicated malaria, as well as between malaria and controls not afflicted with the disease. METHODS: This systematic review was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022368773). Searches for studies that reported IL-5 levels in patients with malaria (any severity) and/or uninfected individuals were performed in Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CENTRAL, and MEDLINE, between 1st and 10th October, 2022. The risk of bias among all included studies was minimized using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines for reporting observational studies. The differences in IL-5 levels between malaria and uninfected controls, and between severe and uncomplicated malaria were synthesized by narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Among 1177 articles identified in the databases, 23 matched the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review. Qualitative syntheses showed the heterogeneity of IL-5 levels between different severities of clinical malaria and uninfected controls. The majority of the included studies (12/15 studies, 80%) found no change in IL-5 levels between malaria cases and uninfected controls. Similarly, most studies found no difference in IL-5 levels between severe (regardless of complications) and uncomplicated malaria (4/8 studies, 50%). The qualitative syntheses revealed that most studies found no difference in IL-5 levels between severe and non-severe malaria. CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive review suggests that IL-5 levels are unchanged in patients with different levels of clinical severity of malaria and uninfected controls. Given the limited number of published studies on IL-5 levels in malaria, there is a need for additional research to determine the function of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of malaria.

Effects of Toxoplasma gondii on Levels of Interleukin-5 in Parkinson's Patients.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a psychiatric neurological infection of the focal sensory system and is accepted as a multifactorial disease. Chronic Toxoplasmosis is sometimes associated with the proliferation of bradyzoites in the nervous system. The measurement of interleukin-5 (IL-5) as an inflammatory mediator in patients with PD and Toxoplasmosis infection may be helpful in determining the correlation between these diseases. In the present study, 80 examples were collected, including 35 patients diagnosed with idiopathic PD and 45 samples from healthy people from Najaf, Babylon, and Baghdad provinces, Iraq. After measuring the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody of Toxoplasma gondii, the level of IL-5 was evaluated in different groups. Serological examination showed that the IgG antibody of Toxoplasmosis increased (P<0.05) in people with PD (65.71%). Serum levels of IL-5 significantly decreased in people with PD. It is noteworthy that comparing serum levels of IL-5 between two groups of people with and without chronic Toxoplasmosis revealed that there was a significant decrease (P<0.05) in a concentration of serum IL-5 in individuals with chronic Toxoplasmosis. The current study confirmed the conceivable association between T. gondii and PD, and further research is recommended to explain the association between PD and Toxoplasmosis.

Serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 levels in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis correlate with clinical severity.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a group of heterogeneous diseases characterized by epithelial inflammation and tissue eosinophilic infiltration. IL-5, POSTN, and IL-33 are important factors that act as chemoattractants for eosinophils, and a tissue-remodeling protein positively correlated with eosinophils in blood and mediators of eosinophilic infiltration. The aim of the study was to determine the expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33, at the gene and protein levels, in eosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), and to correlate this expression with clinical severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 CRSwNP patients and 53 CRSsNP patients and 40 control subjects. The expression of IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA was determined in sinonasal mucosal samples and in nasal polyp tissue by real-time PCR. Protein levels in the serum of CRSwNP patients were measured by ELISA. Computed tomography was evaluated according to Lund-Mackay scores, and visual analog scale scores were assessed. RESULTS: NP tissue demonstrated significantly higher IL-5 and POSTN mRNA expression than the sinonasal tissue in the CRSsNP and CRSwNP groups. CRS groups demonstrated elevated IL-33 mRNA expression in comparison to controls irrespective of the presence of NP. No correlation was found between IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 mRNA expression and disease severity. CRSwNP group demonstrated significantly higher serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 protein levels than controls, and this corresponds to disease severity. CONCLUSION: Serum IL-5, POSTN and IL-33 levels may be important markers for classification of eosinophilic CRSwNP patients, along with disease severity.

Analysis of Serum Th2 Cytokines in Infants with Non-IgE Mediated Food Allergy Compared to Healthy Infants.

Background: The aim of this study is to assess the serum values of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 in a group of infants with non-IgE mediated food allergies treated with a hydrolyzed formula and compare them with a group of healthy peers. Methods: A total of 53 infants aged 1 to 4 months, of which 34 with non-IgE mediated food allergies and 19 healthy infants were enrolled in this study. Infants were eligible if they had gastrointestinal symptoms of food allergy and needed to switch from their initial formula to hydrolyzed formulas with an improvement of symptoms. Controls were fed with either breastmilk or standard formula. Blood samples were taken within one week of a special diet for cases. Interleukinsin in peripheral blood was detected and analyzed using the real-time PCR MAMA method. Fecal calprotectin was evaluated using a quantitative assay. Results: Values of IL-4 and IL-13 were significantly higher in the non-IgE food allergy group compared to the control group (p < 0.05), while IL-5 and IL-10 were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). Fecal calprotectin in the non-IgE food allergy group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides a theoretical basis that Th2 cytokine expression in infants with a non-IgE mediated food allergy is significantly different than in healthy infants; this finding supports the use of early dietetic treatment with hydrolyzed formulas.

Association between the type of allergen and T-helper 2 mediated inflammation in allergic reactions: a systematic review and a meta-analysis

Objectives To determine whether the levels of T-helper (TH) 2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5) in allergic reactions are allergen dependent and evaluate the impact of various treatment strategies on the levels of these cytokines.Methods The PubMed search engine was used from inception until January 2021. The random-effects residual maximum likelihood model was performed, and effect sizes were estimated using the Hedge’s g statistic. All data analysis was performed using STATA 16.0 (StataCorp LP, TX, USA).Results Fourteen studies reporting on 794 participants were included in this study. House dust mite was associated with eliciting a stronger immune response mediated by both IL-4 and IL-5 when compared to pollen. Whereas a mixture of house dust mite and pollen was associated with IL-4-weighted inflammation. Comparisons of IL-4 and IL-5 levels amongst the allergens showed significant differences. The treatment with anti-corticosteroids or allergen-specific immunotherapy was effective in normalising the TH2 responses and alleviating allergy symptoms (AU).

The role and correlation of IL-35 and type II intrinsic lymphocytes in children with allergic rhinitis.

To investigate the role and correlation of IL-35 and ILC2 in children with allergic rhinitis. 50 cases of children with allergic rhinitis admitted to our hospital from February 2018 to March 2020 were selected as the research subjects and set as the study group. During the same period, 50 cases of normal children admitted to our hospital for physical examination were selected as the control group. The differences in the expression of IL-35 and ILC2 between the two groups and the correlation with the severity of allergic rhinitis were compared. In BMI, the study group was significantly lower than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). IL-35 in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group, while ILC2, IL4+ILC2, IL-5+ILC2, IL-13+ILC2, IgE and ECP in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed a moderate negative correlation between TNSS score and IL-35 (r =-0.642, P<0.05), was positively correlated with ILC2, IL4+ILC2, IL-5+ILC2, IL-13+ILC2, ECP (r =0.745, 0.713, 0.725, 0.769, 0.746, P<0.05), and was strongly correlated with IgE (r =0.952, P<0.05). Also, It was positively correlated with TGF-?1 (r =0.513, P<0.05). IL-35 was strongly negatively correlated with ILC2, IL4+ILC2, IL-5+ILC2, IL-13+ILC2 (r =-0.845, -0.812, -0.805, 0.823, -0.854, P<0.05). Was negatively correlated with ECP and TGF-?1 (r =-0.795, -0.543, P<0.05). ILC2 was strongly correlated with IgE (r =0.812, P<0.05), and moderately positively correlated with ECP and TGF-?1 (r =0.642, 0.541, P<0.05). ROC curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value. The results showed that among the five indicators, IgE had the highest sensitivity of 92.23%, while IL-35 had the highest specificity of 92.56%. However, the combined area, sensitivity and specificity of the five indicators were the highest, 0.962, 95.18% and 94.25%, respectively (P<0.05). Both IL-35 and type II intrinsic lymphocytes are highly correlated with the severity of allergic rhinitis in children, the former is negatively correlated with the latter is positively correlated. The detection of these indexes in clinical practice can be helpful for clinical diagnosis.

Effects of Medication Use on Small Airway Function and Airway Inflammation in Patients with Clinically Controlled Asthma.

OBJECTIVE: To observe effects of medication use on small airway function, airway inflammation and acute exacerbations in patients with clinically controlled asthma. METHODS: Forced expiratory flow over the middle half of the forced expiratory curve (FEF25%-75%), percentage of eosinophil, concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and interleukin (IL)-5 in induced sputum were assessed in patients with clinically controlled asthma who were given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy and inhaled therapy alone. Subsequently, acute exacerbations were compared between two groups during the 24-week follow-up period. RESULTS: FEF25%-75% in 43 patients with clinically controlled asthma given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy was significantly higher than that in 49 patients given inhaled therapy alone. Meanwhile, the percentage of eosinophils and levels of IL-5 and ECP in patients with clinically controlled asthma given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy were significantly lower than those in patients given inhaled therapy alone. Additionally, the patients with clinically controlled asthma given inhaled therapy were likely to have more acute exacerbation than the patients given oral anti-inflammatory agents alone or in combination with inhaled therapy during the 24-week follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Systemic anti-inflammatory agents may have a greater effect on parameters reflecting small airway patency and reducing acute exacerbations, presumably secondary to reduction in airway inflammation.

Serum IL-5 and IFN-γ Are Novel Predictive Biomarkers for Anti-PD-1 Treatment in NSCLC and GC Patients.

BACKGROUND: Because responses of patients with cancer to immunotherapy can vary in success, effective biomarkers are urgently needed for predicting clinical response with anti-PD-1 treatment. We aimed to evaluate the IL-5 and IFN-γ level with the response of anti-PD-1 blockade in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: Metastatic NSCLC and GC patients treated with anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody were studied. Blood samples were taken before PD-1 McAb treatment, after the first cycle treatment, and during efficacy evaluation. The association between IL-5 and IFN-γ levels and clinical response were analyzed by the nonparametric Wilcoxon matched-pairs ranked tests. The progression-free survival (PFS) time was obtained by imaging evaluation and telephone follow-up of all the patients. Kaplan-Meier and the log rank test were used to plot the survival curve. RESULTS: IL-5 and IFN-γ levels were detected in the peripheral blood of 40 NSCLC and 35 GC patients who have received anti-PD-1 treatment. In effective group, IL-5 and IFN-γ levels at best response points significantly decreased (P < 0.001) compared with pretherapeutic levels in NSCLC and GC patients with lymph node or distant metastasis. Compared with pretherapeutic levels, IL-5 and IFN-γ levels largely increased as the tumor progresses (P < 0.01). Higher IL-5 and IFN-γ levels before treatment indicated shorter progression-free survival in patients with NSCLC metastasis (P = 0.007, P = 0.0111). Moreover, their levels also accurately reflected the pseudoprogression of two NSCLC patients to anti-PD-1 treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that serum IL-5 and IFN-γ levels could be an effective indicator for predicting clinical efficacy and survival with anti-PD-1 blockade in NSCLC and GC patients.

Immunoinflammatory Biomarkers in Serum Are Associated with Disease Severity in Atopic Dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence links various biomarkers to atopic dermatitis (AD). Still, little is known about the association of specific biomarkers to disease characteristics and severity in AD. OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between various immunological markers in the serum and disease severity in a hospital cohort of AD patients. METHODS: Outpatients with AD referred to the Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark, were divided into groups based on disease severity (SCORAD). Serum levels of a preselected panel of immunoinflammatory biomarkers were tested for association with disease characteristics. Two machine learning models were developed to predict SCORAD from the measured biomarkers. RESULTS: A total of 160 patients with AD were included; 53 (33.1%) with mild, 73 (45.6%) with moderate, and 34 (21.3%) with severe disease. Mean age was 29.2 years (range 6-70 years) and 84 (52.5%) were females. Numerous biomarkers showed a statistically significant correlation with SCORAD, with the strongest correlations seen for CCL17/thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (chemokine ligand-17/TARC) and CCL27/cutaneous T cell-attracting-chemokine (CTACK; Spearman R of 0.50 and 0.43, respectively, p < 0.001). Extrinsic AD patients were more likely to have higher mean SCORAD (p < 0.001), CCL17 (p < 0.001), CCL26/eotaxin-3 (p < 0.001), and eosinophil count (p < 0.001) than intrinsic AD patients. Predictive models for SCORAD identified CCL17, CCL27, serum total IgE, IL-33, and IL-5 as the most important predictors for SCORAD, but with weaker associations than single cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: Specific immunoinflammatory biomarkers in the serum, mainly of the Th2 pathway, are correlated with disease severity in patients with AD. Predictive models identified biomarkers associated with disease severity but this finding warrants further investigation.

Accelerated atherosclerosis in premenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis - 15-year follow-up.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with increased mortality and morbidity due to the higher cardiovascular risk in these patients. Traditional risk factors are not the only answer for the accelerated atherosclerosis. In a long-term prospective study, we investigated the relationship between asymptomatic atherosclerosis and traditional risk factors and inflammatory markers in patients with RA and matched healthy controls. We studied the laboratory test results, the concentrations of inflammatory mediators, matrix metalloproteases (MMP), and inflammation markers in a total of 70 (60 at follow-up) premenopausal healthy women with RA and 40 (34 at follow-up) matched controls. We used the B-mode ultrasound imaging of carotid arteries for the detection of asymptomatic atherosclerosis. Correlation with different factors was evaluated. Statistically significant higher values of inflammatory markers such as selective adhesion molecules ICAM and VCAM, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and MMP-3 in the patients group were found in the follow-up study. More plaques were found in the patients group (42.4% vs. 12.9%; p=0.005), as compared with the controls group. The patients had also higher values of cIMT (p=0.001). Using bivariate regression analysis only VCAM was found as a prognostic factor for plaque occurrence (r= 0. 341, p=0.016), but not for cIMT (r= -0.130, p=0.327) in premenopausal female patients with RA after the follow-up. Therefore, asymptomatic atherosclerosis is accelerated in premenopausal women with RA. The results of our follow-up study showed the association between inflammation and accelerated atherosclerosis. Furthermore, VCAM was found to have a statistically significant correlation with plaque occurrence in these patients.

Development of an immunocompetent mouse model susceptible to Cryptosporidium tyzzeri infection.

AIMS: Immunocompromised mice are extensively used in the screening of vaccines and drugs for Cryptosporidium, but this study model does not reflect the real status of infection in immunocompetent animals. This study aimed to provide an optimized animal model for future studies of Cryptosporidium vaccine. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three mouse strains (ICR, BALB/c and KM) with or without immunosuppression were compared after challenge with Cryptosporidium tyzzeri (C tyzzeri). The results indicated that ICR mice shed a greater number of faecal oocysts (20 346 ± 203 oocysts/g) compared with BALB/c (2077 ± 142 oocysts/g) and KM mice (3207 ± 431 oocysts/g) after experimental infection with C tyzzeri (P < .001). However, ICR mouse model is uniquely effective for C tyzzeri, not for other Cryptosporidium spp. such as C parvum. ICR mice were then used to determine the immunoreactions and immunoprotection of P23-DNA vaccine (pVAX1-P23) to C tyzzeri experimental infection. The results showed that a significant increase in anti-P23 antibody levels was induced by the pVAX1-P23 vaccine. Compared to pVAX1, TB and blank control mice, pVAX1-P23 immunized mice produced specific spleen cell proliferation as well as enhanced IL-5, IL-12p70 and IFN-γ production in sera. After challenge with 5 × 106 C tyzzeri oocysts, the oocyst shedding of the pVAX1-P23 immunized group was reduced by 69.94% comparing to the infection control. CONCLUSION: These results provide an optimized animal model for the study of prophylactic vaccines and this model might be applied to other candidates against Cryptosporidium, not only for pVAX1-P23.

Cytokine profile and disease severity in patients with COVID-19.

Cytokine dysregulation is the proposed mechanism for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-5, IL-8, Il-9, IL-17, TGF-ß and IFN-γ in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. The study was conducted between 63 adult patients with COVID-19 and compared with 33 age and gender-matched healthy subjects as controls. The age range in both groups was 50-70 years. The patients were classified into mild group (33 patients) and severe group (30 patients). Serum samples were collected from all participants and tested for the cytokine levels by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method. Statistical analysis was performed using the one-way ANOVA. The mean serum levels of IFN-γ, TGF-ß, IL-17 and IL-8 in the COVID-19 patients were significantly higher than those observed in the control group. A comparison of between the mild and severe groups showed significant differences in TGF-ß levels. The mean concentration of serum IL-5 and IL-9 in patients with COVID-19 did not differ from those in the control group. Systemic IL-17 levels correlated positively and significantly with TGF-ß in patients with COVID-19. Th1 (IFN-γ), Treg (TGF-ß), and Th17 (IL-17) cytokines concentration were increased in COVID-19 patients. Interferon-γ and IL-17 are involved in inducing and mediating proinflammatory responses. Our data suggest that TGF-ß can be used as a predictive factor of disease severity in patients with COVID-19.

Type 2 Inflammatory Shift in Chronic Rhinosinusitis During 2007-2018 in Belgium.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a heterogenic disease with different inflammatory patterns depending on the presence (CRSwNP) or absence (CRSsNP) of polyps and geographical location. A shift toward type 2 endotype has been seen in Asia. We aim to investigate whether there has been type 2 shift in Belgium and to further endotype CRS based on clinical markers. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective descriptive study. METHODS: Four hundred and thirty eight patients with CRS undergoing sinus surgery at Ghent University Hospital between 2007 and 2018 were included and stratified based on phenotype, comorbidities, inflammatory markers in tissue, and two different time points of surgery. Tissue samples from surgery were analyzed for type 2 markers. In a subgroup of CRSwNP blood eosinophils (EBC) was available. RESULTS: There was an increase in type 2 inflammatory markers in the latter group versus the earlier, in non-asthmatic, non-allergic CRS patients regardless of phenotype. The proportion of IL-5+ patients was elevated in the latter group in CRSwNP. Inflammatory markers and comorbidities differ between IL-5+ CRSsNP and CRSwNP subjects, no difference was seen in IL-5- CRS. EBC can together with information on comorbidities help identify type 2 CRSwNP in a clinical setting. CONCLUSION: There is a shift toward type 2 inflammation within the CRS population over recent 8 years also in Belgium. This shift implies that we expect to see more cases of severe and difficult to treat CRS in the future. Polyp formation is not directly linked to the presence or concentrations of type 2 inflammatory markers. Clinical parameters and EBC > 300 cells/µL can be used to identify type 2 CRSwNP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3. Laryngoscope, 131:E1408-E1414, 2021.

An inter-correlated cytokine network identified at the center of cytokine storm predicted COVID-19 prognosis.

The hyper-inflammatory response is thought to be a major cause of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with COVID-19. Although multiple cytokines are reportedly associated with disease severity, the key mediators of SARS-CoV-2 induced cytokine storm and their predictive values have not been fully elucidated. The present study analyzed maximal and early (within 10 days after disease onset) concentrations of 12-plex cytokines in plasma. We found consistently elevated plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-5 in patients who were deceased compared with those who had mild/moderate or severe disease. The early plasma concentrations of IFN-a and IL-2 positively correlated with the length of the disease course. Moreover, correlation network analysis showed that IL-6, IL-8, and IL-5 located at the center of an inter-correlated cytokine network. These findings suggested that IL-8, IL-6, IL-5 might play central roles in cytokine storms associated with COVID-19 and that the early detection of multiple plasma cytokines might help to predict the prognosis of this disease.

Diphenylcyclopropenone plays an effective therapeutic role by up-regulating the TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway in severe alopecia areata.

Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is considered to be the most effective treatment of severe AA. However, the mechanism is unclear and an early predictor for the efficacy needs to be explored. The TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway is an important pathway to initiate and maintain Th2 immune responses. Our previous work suggests this pathway may play a role in severe AA treated with DPCP. Thus, to further investigate the mechanism of TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway in severe AA treated with DPCP and explore the predictor for the efficacy of DPCP therapy, we conducted a prospective study to compare expression levels of TSLP, OX40L, Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and IL13, and Th1 cytokine IFN-γ in severe AA patients before and after the treatment. Results showed that 21 AA patients were responsive (responders) to the DPCP therapy and 12 were not responsive (non-responders). Responders had lower levels of TSLP, OX40L and IL-13 than non-responders before the treatment. After the DPCP treatment, TSLP, IL-5 and IL-13 increased and IFN-γ decreased in responders while there were no changes of TSLP, IL-4, IL-13 and IFN-γ in non-responders. Our data suggest that the TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway is down-regulated in some severe AA patients and DPCP might play a therapeutic role by up-regulating the pathway in these severe AA patients. The TSLP/OX40L/IL-13 pathway could be a predictor of response to the DPCP therapy for severe AA patients.

Ceruloplasmin and oxidative stress in severe eosinophilic asthma patients treated with Mepolizumab and Benralizumab.

INTRODUCTION: Severe eosinophilic asthma has been associated with Th2 airway inflammation and elevated proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-5. Precision therapies have recently been shown to improve asthma symptoms with a steroid-sparing effect. Two such therapies, Benralizumab and Mepolizumab, humanized IgG antibodies directed against the IL-5 receptor and IL-5, have been approved for severe eosinophilic asthma. METHODS: Here we used a differential proteomic approach to analyse serum from patients with severe eosinophilic asthma treated with Benralizumab and Mepolizumab in a search for differential molecular modifications responsible of their effects. Enrichment analysis of differential proteins was performed for the two treatments. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: After one month of Benralizumab treatment we detected up-regulation of certain protein species of the antioxidant ceruloplasmin. To investigate oxidative stress, we performed redox proteomics which detected lower oxidative burst after one month of Benralizumab treatment than in the pre-treatment phase or after one month of Mepolizumab therapy.

Altered plasma levels of ßC and γC chain cytokines and post-treatment modulation in tuberculous lymphadenitis.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in ß common (ßC) and γ common (γC) chain cytokines have been described in pulmonary tuberculosis. However, their role in tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBL) disease has not been assessed. METHODS: Thus, in the present study, we have examined the systemic levels of ßC and γC chain cytokines in TBL, latent tuberculosis (LTB) and healthy control (HC) individuals. We have examined the discriminatory potential of both family of cytokines using ROC analysis. Finally, we measured the pre and post-treatment responses of these cytokines after anti-tuberculosis treatment. RESULTS: TBL individuals exhibit significantly increased (IL-3) and diminished systemic levels of (IL-5, GM-CSF) ßC cytokines compared to LTB and HC individuals. TBL individuals also exhibit significantly diminished (IL-2, IL-7) and elevated (IL-4, IL-9) levels of γC cytokines compared to LTB and/or HC. ROC analysis shows a clear discriminatory capacity of both ßC (IL-5) and γC (IL-2) chain cytokines to distinguish TBL from LTB and HCs. The systemic levels of ßC chain cytokines were not significantly altered, but in contrast γC (IL-2 and IL-7) cytokines were significantly modulated after treatment. Finally, no significant correlation was observed for ßC and γC chain cytokines with their respective lymphocyte count of TBL individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Hence, we conclude that altered plasma levels of ßC and γC cytokines are the characteristics of immune alteration in TBL disease and certain cytokines were modulated after treatment.