Background In many cases, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is self‐limiting, as innate and adaptive cell‐mediated immunity is needed for infection elimination; however, the inability of the immune system in some patients to clear the infection is a matter of debate. The interleukin‐17 (IL‐17) family cytokines play an important protective role in host immune response to infections, through maintaining immunity against specific pathogens, induction of antimicrobial proteins, and recruitment of neutrophils to sites of invasion. Galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) may be considered as a marker of viral infection as many studies reported its increased serum level in viral infections. Aims To evaluate levels of serum Gal‐3 and IL‐17 in patients with verrucas and to explore the potential role of these markers in the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods Fifty patients suffering from HPV Infection, and fifty healthy controls were included in this study. Serum levels of Gal‐3 and IL‐17 were assessed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results The patients’ serum Gal‐3 was significantly higher, while IL‐17 was significantly lower than that of the healthy controls (p‐value < 0.001). Moreover, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between Gal‐3 serum level and disease duration and number of warts. Significant negative correlation exists between IL‐17 and Gal‐3 levels. Conclusion Our results indicate a potential role of both IL‐17 and Gal‐3 in the pathogenesis of warts and open a new opportunity in targeting these markers in the future in treating warts.

Warts (verrucas) are an extremely common, benign, and usually self-limited skin disease. Infection of epidermal cells with the human papillomavirus (HPV) results in cell proliferation and a thickened, warty papule on the skin. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of Interleukin 17 in patients with verrucas,correlate their levels with different demographic and clinical data. Method: This present study included: patient group(1) included 30 verruca patients. In addition,15apparently healthy, age and sex matched individuals included as a control group (Group 2). All patients were selected from outpatient clinic of Dermatology ans Andrology department of Benha University Hospital from Jan 2020 t0 July 2020. Informed consents were obtained from all participants. The study was approved by the local ethics committee on research involving human subjects, Faculty of Medicine , Benha University. Results and conclusion: it is concluded that IL 17 levels are lower in verruca patients than controls.