Estimation of Interferon Gamma and Zinc Concentration in Serum of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients in Tikrit City

Background: Interferon-gamma is one of the important cytokines, that has a role in the immune system of the body. Also zinc has optimal activity on the immune system and is involved in cell and tissue growth. The aim of this study is to evaluate IFN-γ and Zn concentration in the serum of CL patients and compare to control groups.

Patients and Method: A total of 96 persons were included in this study, during the period from January/2018 to the end of June/2018 in the outpatients of Dermatology Department of Tikrit Teaching Hospital. Forty eight patients with CL were included in this study, 43.75% were males and 56.25% were females. Assessment of zinc concentration by using spectrophotometer, so interferon gamma by ELISA.

Results: There was low serum zinc in CL patients comparing to control, since mean zinc concentration in patients was 9.6 μmol/I and in control was 11.4 μmol/l. Also this study revealed that there was decrease serum zinc in CL patients in contrast to control groups aged >15 years old, since mean zinc concentration in patients was 9.7 μmol/l while in control was 10.9 μmol/l. Mean zinc concentration in male patients and control were (10.0 and 11.6) μmol/l respectively. Mean zinc concentration in female patients (9.4) μmol/l while in female control is higher (10.8) μmol/l. mean serum interferon gamma is significant increase in serum patients (P<0.01) than control groups aged < 15 old. Since mean of IFN-γ was 0.8 IU/ml in patients and 0.5 IU/ml in control. Also serum IFN-γ in patients and control groups (aged > 15 years old) were (1.0 and 0.6) IU/ml respectively. In addition to that it was found that there is significant increase in IFN-γ concentration (P <0.01) in male patients which was (1.1) IU/ml in comparison with the male control which was (0.6) IU/ml. Also the same thing is noticed in females. Mean IFN-γ in female patients and control were (0.7 l and 0.5) IU/ml Respectively.