Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Dermatology and Venereology

Warts are benign lesions caused by human papilloma virus (HPV). Host defense against HPV relies on intact and functioning cellular immunity including T cell and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity. Therefore, in patients in whom warts are severe or recalcitrant, concern for immune defects is raised. LIGHT (LT - like, exhibits inducible expression and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), a receptor expressed by T lymphocytes) signaling is important for cell survival, inflammation, and tumor eradication. Based on previous studies suggesting a role of LIGHT in control of intracellular infections as M. tuberculosis infection, we hypothesize that LIGHT may contribute to control of HPV infection. To identify the role of cell-mediated immunity, expressed as LIGHT level, in cases of multiple / recurrent verrucae, and to assess whether the immune response is decreased at local level in the skin only, or whether a systemic diminution in cell-mediated immunity is associated in such cases

Issued also as CD