CXCL10 As A Potential Marker of Disease Activity in Pediatric Vitiligo

Introduction: Vitiligo is a common acquired depigmentary inflammatory disorder associated with negative psychosocial impacts in children and their caregivers. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 [CXCL10] is related to the Th1 response that facilitates T cell migration in many autoimmune conditions & augments melanocyte-targeted cytotoxic T lymphocyte infiltration into the epidermis to assault melanocytes, leading to melanin deficit. Objective: The aim of this research was to estimate serum CXCL10 concentration in pediatric vitiligo cases as an indicator of disease activity. Methods: Serum CXCL10 level was measured in 60 pediatric vitiligo patients [segmental vitiligo [num.=twenty], non-segmental active vitiligo [num.=22] and non-segmental stable vitiligo [n=18]], & 30 age and sex matched healthy control using enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Vitiligo severity was estimated by vitiligo area scoring index [VASI] score & vitiligo disease activity [VIDA] score. Results: Serum CXCL10 level was significantly greater in cases [median=42.5] than control group [median=25.8] with highest serum level in non-segmental active vitiligo group [median=53.55] followed by segmental vitiligo patients [median=41.45] then non-segmental stable vitiligo patients [median=32.3]. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between serum CXCL10 level with VIDA score and VASI score [p=0.001]. Conclusion: Serum CXCL10 increased significantly in pediatric vitiligo patients, with significant positive correlation with VIDA and VASI scores.