Evaluation of IL-17 and Vitamin B12 Levels in the Serum of Vitiligo Patients in Najaf Governorate

Background: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease marked by the destruction of epidermal melanocytes, typically presenting as white skin patches. Objectives: this study aimed to investigate the role of IL-17 and Vit. B12 in vitiligo patients in Najaf Governorate by comparing their levels with the control group. Methodology: This case control study was conducted on 63 patients with vitiligo from Department of Dermatology in AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf Teaching Hospital and AL-Sader Medical City, and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Patients were identified by the physician based on clinical history, symptoms and by using Wood's lamp, each patients group of the study was divided into subgroups according to the age, gender, age at disease onset, type, severity of vitiligo disease and family history. The concentration of Vit.B12 was estimated by using Cobas e 411 Analyzer), the serum levels of IL-17 were measured by ELISA method. Results: The highest percent of vitiligo patients was in the age group 16- 30 years as (36.5%), followed by the age group under 15 years (30.2 %) compared with other groups. The highest percentage of vitiligo patients were males (57.1%). The largest percentage of patients within the Generalized vitiligo type (63.5 %). The largest percentage (54.0 %) of patients had the disease onset at the age of under 15years compared to other groups. As for the history of the vitiligo, (58.7 %) of patients were without family history. The results showed a significant increase (p=0.016) in the levels of IL-17 and significant decrease (p=0.001) in serum Vit.B12 in vitiligo patients compared with control group. IL-17 was significantly elevated (p=0.007) in male vitiligo patients compared to female vitiligo patients. Also, the levels of IL-17 was increased in the age group (Under 15 years ) compared to other groups, and there was a significant decrease in Vit. B12 in the two age groups: (Under 15 years) and (16- 30 years. The results showed that there was a slight significant difference (p=0.067) in the levels of interleukin -17 in serum of vitiligo patients groups depending on the types of vitiligo. And there was a significant decrease in Vit. B12 in the generalized vitiligo group comparing with other groups: Conclusion: IL-17 and Vit.B12 have an association with vitiligo.