Primary chlamydial infection correlates with high level of serum interleukin 12 (IL-12)

According to the existing data, cytokines actively participate in the pathogenesis of Chlamydia infection. However, the role of IL-12 in Chlamydiosis development has not been studied yet. The aim of our research is to define the role of IL-12 in the pathogenesis of the disease. The levels of IL-12, IL-4 and IFN-gamma were determined in 27 healthy and 56 Chlamydia infected individuals by using sandwich ELISA in vitro. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, direct and indirect immunoflourescence were used for laboratory testing of Chlamydia. Statistical analysis of the results showed that the level of IL-12 was raised in the serum of some patients compared to the control group. Patients demonstrating high levels of IL-12 also had high levels of IFN-gamma and low to normal levels of IL-4. The high of IL-12 were mainly in patients with primary Chlamydia infection. Thus, IL-12 may participate in the development of the primary immune response to Chlamydia, in particular Th1 direction.