IL17a is the key inflammatory cytokine of TH17 and contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus which is a common endocrine disorder associated with HCV infection. Herein, 183 cirrhotic HCV infected patients were screened for ANA by ELISA and positive cases (n=40) were screened for ICA by Immunofluorescence and IL17a serum levels were measured by ELISA and compared to a control group (n=24). Out of 40 cirrhotic HCV, ANA (+) infected patients, 16 patients (40 %) were type 2 diabetic and 13 (32.5%) were non-diabetic. On the other hand, 17 positive ICA (42.5%) and 23 negative ICA (57.5%) patients were reported. IL17a serum level was significantly elevated in cirrhotic HCV infected patients who were positive for ICA than negative ICA (P < 0.0001) and was significantly higher in type 2 diabetic than both non-diabetic patients (P=0.04) and controls (P=0.0005). In conclusion, IL17 serum levels were elevated in diabetic HCV infected patients.
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