Background: Common warts are caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs), they are among the most common cutaneous viral infections. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an essential contributor in many inflammatory and immune skin diseases. Yet, its role in the pathology of common warts is unclear.
Objective: To assess MIF levels in lesional and perilesional skin in patients with common warts in comparison to apparently healthy control group with matching age and sex. Subjects and methods: A case-control study performed on 60 patients with common warts (group A) and 30 age and sex matching healthy controls (group B). Two biopsies were taken from each patient in group A; one from the lesion (lesional) and the other one from the skin around the wart (perilesional), while biopsies of controls were taken from matched sites to patients. Measurement of MIF in all groups was done by quantitative ELISA kits. Results: Significant high MIF levels were detected in lesional and perilesional skin biopsies compared to controls (P