The Role of IL-17 in the Pathogenesis of Acute Rheumatic Fever

Objective: In this study, our aim is to determine the interleukin 17 (IL-17) and interleukin 22 (IL-22) levels in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients and their relationship with rheumatic fever pathogenesis. Methods: Newly diagnosed 7 ARF patients and 14 RHD patients who are followed by Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Pediatric Cardiology Department and 15 age and sex-appropriate healthy children as the control group were enrolled in this study. Interleukin 17 and interleukin 22 levels were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: IL-17 levels were undetectable, while the IL-22 level was increased in 1 patient in the ARF group. Eleven of 14 RHD patients had IL-17 under detectable levels, while 3 had detectable levels. None of the patients had detectable IL-22 levels. In the control group, none had detectable IL-17 or IL-22 levels. Conclusion: Our results showed that IL-17 and IL-22 do not have an important role in ARF pathogenesis.