Abstract: Objective To study the role of Th1/Th2 cytokine profile in the pathogenesis of recurrent genital herpes (RGH), and to find out the relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokines. Methods A two-colour immunofluorescent staining of cell surface antigen and intracellular cytokines (IL-2、IL-10、IL-12、IFN-γ and TNF-α) in CD3⁺T-lymphocytes of 20 patients with RGH with flow cytometric analysis were performed. Results Compared to controls, patients with RGH showed a decreased number of CD3⁺T cells(P<0.05), and a decreased number of IL-2-producing and IFN-γ-producing T cells(P<0.02 and P<0.001, respectively), whereas an increased number of IL-10-producing and IL-12-producing T cells(P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the number of TNF-α-producing cells between the patients and controls(P>0.05). Conclusions RGH patients seem to have a predominance of Th2 cytokine profile, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of RGH.

Key words: Herpes genitalis, Cytokines, Flow cytometry