The comparison of serum TNF-α level in Isfahan and Tehran healthy residents

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infectious disease caused by Leishmania spp with different clinical manifestations. After phagocytosis, the parasite becomes resistant to anti pathogenic mechanism of macrophages. Innate immune responses such as TNF-α have important role in enhancement of phagocyte activities against the parasite. During a performed study on the prevalence of leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, we found that a number of people living in this endemic region never show the clinical leishmaniasis despite of close exposure. While the natural resistance may contribute to some elements in innate immune response such as TNF-α levels, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of serum level of TNF-α in healthy people of Isfahan. Blood samples were obtained from 50 healthy subjects living in Isfahan and 50 healthy subjects from Tehran. Of all subjects who were referred to Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) written informed consent was obtained. Blood sample separated plasma was stored in the -70°c until tested. Plasma level of TNF-α was measured by Sandwich ELISA (USCN, China) according to the manufacture´s protocol. Data were analyzed using the Chi-Square and t- test through SPSS software. The analysis showed that the levels of TNF-α in Isfahan healthy residents were significantly higher than those in Tehran healthy subjects (p=0.085). The results obtained in the present study confirmed our previous finding indicating a natural resistance to leishmaniasis in Isfahan residents. Accordingly we suggested that the assessment of serum TNF-α may be useful in the prognosis and prevention of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the endemic regions.