Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), TNF-α soluble receptor type 1 (sTNFR I) and IL-22 in human leishmaniasis

The role of pro-inammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human leishmaniasis is not fully understood. We analyzed the alterations in the plasma levels of TNF-alpha, soluble TNF receptor type 1 (sTNFR I), IL-17 and IL-22 in the volunteers with leishmaniasis. Blood samples were collected from patients with active cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the same CL patients after standard antimonial therapy as healed CL, active visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and healed VL volunteers. Levels of the cytokines were titrated on plasma samples by sandwich ELISA method. The mean level of TNF-alpha was significantly higher in active CL patients than healthy controls (P<0.001) and significantly reduced after treatment in the same volunteers (P<0.001). The mean level of sTNFR I was significantly higher in active CL patients than healthy controls (P<0.05). The mean level of IL-22 in plasma of the AVL patients was significantly higher than that of healthy control group (P<0.05). There is a negative correlation between the levels of TNF-alpha and sTNFR I and healing of CL. Measurement of cytokines in plasma samples is more feasible than cell culture in evaluation of immune response in human leishmaniasis.