The role of Il-8 and IFN-γ in the Pathophysiology of Infections Caused by Trichomonas Vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) infection is one of the most prevalent non-viral sexually transmitted infections globally, however, information regarding its immunopathology is lacking in Iraq. There is now growing evidence that pro-inflammatory cytokines in particular IL-8 and IFN-γ are central in controlling the host response to T. vaginalis, with significant contributions both to parasite control as well as tissue inflammation. The objective in the current case–control cross-sectional study was to evaluate serum levels of IL-8 and IFN-γ in patients with laboratory-confirmed trichomoniais, and to compare the results with healthy people. This work was carried out at Al-Husseainy Teaching Hospital, Kerbala/Iraq during the period from October 2024 to February 2025 and included 72 patients with laboratory proven T. vaginalis infection and a control group of 58 healthy participants. Serum cytokines were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Both levels of IL-8 and IFN-γ were also significantly increased in patients than those of controls (p < 0.05), suggesting a vigorous inflammatory activation that occurred during the course of infection. Cytokine levels did not differ significantly in subgroup analysis according to social status and place of residence. There was a slight positive co-ordination between IL-8 and IFN-γ (r = 0.31, p = 0.06) which indicated an overlapping modulator effect of chemokine-interferon pathways in immune defense of the host. Altogether, this report emphasizes the proinflammatory pattern induced by T. vaginalis infection in Iraqi patients and provides additional evidence of the significance of IL-8 and IFN-γ as potential mucosal immune markers.