Background Vitiligo is a chronic depigmenting skin disease that has a prevalence of 0.5–2% of the population worldwide. Cytokines have a regulatory role in the immune response and depigmentation process in vitiligo. There is an imbalance of various types of cytokines in vitiligo patients. Interleukin-13 (IL-13) plays a role in many autoimmune diseases. Objective To measure the serum level of IL-13 in vitiligo patients and detect its correlation with disease severity. Patients and methods This is a case–control study including 20 randomly chosen patients with nonsegmental vitiligo and 20 healthy controls. Vitiligo disease activity score was assessed in all patients. Serum level of IL-13 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results This study revealed that the mean serum level of IL-13 was significantly higher in vitiligo patients, and there was negative correlation between serum level of IL-13 and vitiligo extent score but not statistically significant. Conclusion IL-13 might have a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and might play a protective role in the disease. Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm the definite role of IL-13 in vitiligo pathogenesis.
Background Plantar warts are a common viral infection affecting adults and children. Many studies concerning bleomycin show discrepancies in cure rates. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays an important role in the skin regarding inflammation and immune response. However, little is known about its relation to cutaneous warts. Aim To assess serum MIF levels in patients with common warts before and after treatment by microneedling-assisted topical bleomycin (MATB). Patients and methods This quasi experimental study included 33 patients with cutaneous warts treated by MATB. MIF levels were assessed before and after treatment. Results The mean serum MIF level was significantly lower before bleomycin treatment and increased after treatment. Conclusion The serum MIF has a role in the immunity against human papillomavirus infection and MATB is a promising noninvasive therapeutic modality for cutaneous warts.
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