The role of interleukin-22 in pityriasis rosea.

BACKGROUND: Pityriasis rosea (PR) is an exanthematous disease related to reactivation of human herpes virus (HHV) types 6 and 7. The pathogenesis and cytokine profile of PR are still poorly understood.There is a large amount of evidence indicating a viral aetiology for PR.

AIM: To measure the serum level of interleukin (IL)-22, a cytokine expressed by T helper (Th)17 cells in patients with PR to explore the possible association of IL-22 with the pathogenesis of the disease.

METHODS: This case-control study enrolled 25 patients with PR (mean ± SD age 20 ± 12 years) and a control group of 25 apparently healthy individuals (mean age 18 ± 12.1 years). Blood samples were collected from both patients and controls to measure serum IL-22. Scoring of PR was performed using the Pityriasis Rosea Severity Score (PRSS).

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in IL-22 serum level between the patient and control groups. The IL-22 serum level increased with increase in disease severity (PRSS), extent and duration.

CONCLUSION: Through its proinflammatory cytokines, IL-22 plays a role in the inflammatory process of PR.