Serum Interleukin-36 in Pityriasis Rosea: A Potential Biomarker for Disease Severity

Pityriasis rosea (PR) is a self-limiting acute rash with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. The cytokine profile of PR is an infrequently investigated field of research. The aim of this study was to assess the level of IL-36 in sera of patients with PR and its possible interrelation with disease severity. Forty patients with PR were included in this case-control study, and 40 comparable healthy control subjects. Severity was assessed using pityriasis rosea severity score (PRSS) and serum IL-36 was assessed using ELISA. Serum IL-36 was significantly higher in patients (30.36±12.35) pg/mL compared to control subjects (18.76±10.24) pg/mL (P=0.003). It correlates positively with severity as assessed by PRSS ( = 627, = 0.003). Patients who reported a history of COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of IL-36 (32.66±11.79) pg/mL compared to those who have not (17.33±2.08) pg/mL ( = 0.000). Serum IL-36 could be considered a potential biomarker for pityriasis rosea that correlates with the disease severity.