Diagnostic value of interferon-c in the peripheral blood and the saliva of patients with oral lichen planus

Background The exact etiology of oral lichen planus (OLP) remains obscure. T helper 1 cellassociated cytokines and chemokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis. Among these cytokines, interferon-g (IFN-g) has been studied more extensively. Objective The purpose of this study was to measure the level of IFN-g in peripheral blood and whole unstimulated saliva (WUS) of OLP patients to assess their diagnostic value. Patients and methods IFN-g was measured simultaneously in serum and salivary (WUS) samples of 30 OLP patients and 30 healthy control individuals using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results A significantly higher mean IFN-g in the saliva was found among OLP cases compared with healthy control individuals, and the mean salivary IFN-g was significantly higher than that in the peripheral blood of cases. Conclusion IFN-g in WUS has a diagnostic value in OLP lesions.