Expression of interleukin-2 in Candidal balanoposthitis and its clinical significance

• Published in: Chinese medical journal 2011-09, Vol.124 (17), p.2776-2778
• Main Authors: Chen, Jun, Zhou, Yun-xiao, Jin, Xiao-dong, Chen, Shan-wen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Balanitis - blood; Balanitis - microbiology; Candidiasis - blood; ELISA; Humans; Interleukin-2 - blood; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Young Adult; 临床意义; 发病机制; 念珠菌病; 生殖道感染; 白细胞介素-2; 相关性分析; 自身免疫性
• ISSN: 0366-6999; 2542-5641
• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.2011.17.038

Background Candidal balanoposthJtis （CB） is a common male genital infection. Autoimmune mechanisms may play an important role in the pathOgenesis of CB. Interleukin-2 （IL-2） is an important molecule in cell-mediated immunity. Methods One hundred and one patients were diagnosed with CB using mycology culture in the dermatology and urology clinics in our hospital. Ninety-four healthy males were randomly selected as controls. We studied serum levels of IL-2 of patients with CB using ELISA and analyzed the correlations between serum IL-2 and clinical data. Results Serum IL-2 concentrations in CB patients were significantly lower than that in the control group （（7.80±4.78） vs. （15.44±7.90） rig/L; t=2.27, P 〈0.05）. The incidence of CB in the low-level group was significantly higher than that in the high-level group （70% （71/101） vs. 36% （30/84）, P 〈0.05）. Low levels of serum IL-2, comorbidity with other sexually transmitted diseases （STDs）, and sexual partners with vulvovaginal candidiasis （VVC） increased the risk of CB. Conclusion The pathogenesis of CB is a complex procedure that includes internal autoimmune factors.