BACKGROUNDCandidal balanoposthitis (CB) is a common male genital infection. Autoimmune mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CB. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an important molecule in cell-mediated immunity.

METHODSOne hundred and one patients were diagnosed with CB using mycology culture in the dermatology and urology clinics in our hospital. Ninety-four healthy males were randomly selected as controls. We studied serum levels of IL-2 of patients with CB using ELISA and analyzed the correlations between serum IL-2 and clinical data.

RESULTSSerum IL-2 concentrations in CB patients were significantly lower than that in the control group ((7.80 ± 4.78) vs. (15.44 ± 7.90) ng/L; t = 2.27, P < 0.05). The incidence of CB in the low-level group was significantly higher than that in the high-level group (70% (71/101) vs. 36% (30/84), P < 0.05). Low levels of serum IL-2, comorbidity with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and sexual partners with vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) increased the risk of CB.

CONCLUSIONThe pathogenesis of CB is a complex procedure that includes internal autoimmune factors.