title: The role of interleukin-22 in pityriasis rosea.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through its proinflammatory cytokines, IL-22 plays a role in the inflammatory process of PR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al Mokadem
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: S
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3916-2571
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghonemy
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zidan
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abd El Aleem
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017515:Pityriasis Rosea / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D058504:Th17 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult; D000097043:Interleukin-22
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007378:Interleukins; D000097043:Interleukin-22