title: Plasma Levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-17 in HIV-Positive Patients With Oral Candidiasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) by CD4 + Th (T helper)-type cells is the predominant host defense mechanism against Oral Candidiasis (OC) in HIV-infected individuals. Weakened CMI and depletion of CD4 + T cells are the main factor contributing to the output of OC in HIV-positive individuals. The cytokines produced by Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells play a role in mediating an increased susceptibility to OC during HIV infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study investigated plasma concentration of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-17 in HIV-1 patients suffering from OC.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 98 samples in four groups (HIV-positive and HIV-negative persons with and without OC) were obtained from the oral cavities and cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and CHROMagar. Also blood samples were obtained to assess plasma level of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-17 using ELISA technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference in the plasma concentration of IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-17 but not about IL-4. Our findings suggest a significant interaction between fungal infection and HIV on expression of assessed cytokines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fungal infection and HIV alone and together could seriously alter immune system function as assessed by measuring the levels of the plasma cytokines. Therefore, these results provide important new information relative to the putative immune-based factors associated with resistance and/or susceptibility to OC in HIV-positive persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran; Tropical and Infectious Disease Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed Amin
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Ayatollahi Mousavi
authors.affiliation: Institutes of Neuropharmacology, Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran; Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Asadikaram
authors.affiliation: Institutes of Neuropharmacology, Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Nouzar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakhaee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Mycology and Parasitology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Izadi
keywords: HIV; IFN-Gamma; IL-17; IL-4; IL-6; Oral Candidiasis