Assessment of Serum Levels of CXCL10 in Patients with Non-Segmental Vitiligo

Background : Vitiligo is the most common skin depigmentation disorder. Destruction of melanocytes results in depigmented skin lesions. Pathogenesis is not fully understood and mostly is multifactorial. However, the autoimmune theory is the most widely accepted one. Interaction between genetic, environmental, biochemical, and immunologic factors contribute to the disease. Cytokines have an important role in the development of the disease and its progression. Aim : The aim of the study is to measure the blood levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) in vitiligo and to correlate it with disease activity and severity. Patients and methods : This is a case e control study that enrolled 60 vitiligo patients (30 had active vitiligo and 30 had stable vitiligo) and 30 healthy age-matched and sex-matched controls. Vitiligo extent score (VES) was calculated. CXCL10 was measured in venous blood samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : CXCL10 levels were signi fi cantly higher among vitiligo patients compared with controls ( P < 0.001). Also, CXCL10 levels in vitiligo patients were signi fi cantly higher in the active group compared with the stable group ( P < 0.001). There was statistically signi fi cant positive correlation between CXCL10 levels and VES score ( P ¼ 0.003). Median CXCL10 (pg/ml) in controls was 2.38 versus 8.13 in patients. Furthermore, in vitiligo patients, the median CXCL10 (pg/ml) was 9.5 in the active group versus 7.6 in the stable group. Conclusions : Serum levels of CXCL10 were signi fi cantly higher in vitiligo patients compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, patients with active vitiligo had higher levels of CXCL10 compared with the stable group. Moreover, patients with higher VES had higher CXCL10 serum levels.