Background: Researchers are interested in genital wart (GW) studies due to their increased incidence. In a single experimental research, virally infected mouse models showed elevated kisspeptin levels and low interferon levels.
Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the serum levels of kisspeptin and interferon (INF)-beta in GW patients.
Patients and methods: Forty patients with GWs and forty healthy participants of comparable age and sex as a control group were included in this case-control study. Serum levels of kisspeptin and IFN-beta were measured using ELISA during the period from December 2021 to April 2022.
Results: Kisspeptin was significantly higher among cases than controls, whereas IFN-beta level was lower among cases than controls (P < 0.001). There were no significant relations between kisspeptin and IFN-beta levels and the clinical data for the studied participants, and there was no significant correlation between both (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: The reported increased kisspeptin level which was associated with decreased interferon-beta level in patients with GWs might indicate a new insight into viral infection pathogenesis. Further research including all steps in kisspeptin/G protein-coupled receptor 54 pathway is required. Targeted therapy for this pathway may be of value for those patients.
Keywords: Genital warts; interferon-beta; kisspeptin.
Copyright: © 2023 Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS.