Interleukin-33 as an alarmin cytokine and biomarker of inflammatory activity in acute nasal vestibular furunculosis in episodic and recurrent course

Background. Nasal vestibular furunculosis is an acute purulent-inflammatory condition with a risk of recurrence, driven by persistent bacterial colonization and impaired local immune regulation. Interleukin-33, as a mediator of barrier tissue injury, may reflect the intensity of the systemic inflammatory response even in cases of localized lesions.

Purpose – to evaluate the role of interleukin-33 in the pathogenesis of nasal cavity furunculosis by comparing its serum levels in episodic and recurrent courses.

Materials and Methods. A total of 67 individuals were examined: 37 patients with nasal cavity furunculosis, including 15 with a recurrent course, and 15 healthy volunteers. Serum samples were stored at −80°C. Interleukin-33 concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results. In the furunculosis group, the mean interleukin-33 concentration was 79.12 ± 16.4 pg/mL, exceeding the control level 5.3-fold (14.91 ± 5.2 pg/mL; p < 0.001). In the recurrent course group, the value reached 108.77 ± 21.3 pg/mL, which was 7.3 times higher than in controls (p < 0.001). Comparison between the two clinical groups revealed a tendency toward higher values in recurrent cases (1.4-fold increase); however, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Cluster analysis demonstrated that in the episodic course, values of 61.0–90.9 pg/mL predominated, whereas in recurrent cases, low values (1.0–30.9 pg/mL) were absent and the proportion of high levels (91.0–120.9 pg/mL) increased.

Conclusions. Serum interleukin-33 levels are significantly elevated in nasal cavity furunculosis regardless of the disease course and may reflect systemic immune reactivity. The recurrent course is characterized by a shift in distribution toward higher concentrations, supporting further investigation of the prognostic value of this biomarker.