Abstract: Objective: To detect the levels of Th1, Th2 and Th17 related cytokines in the patients with leprosy and to explore the role of those cytokines in leprosy. Methods: The serum levels of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF, IFN-γ and IL-17A were detected by flow cytometric bead array in 12 newly reported leprosy patients, 29 cured leprosy patients and 37 healthy controls. The differences between groups were compared by Kruskal-Wallis test and Nemenyi test. Results: The levels of IL-1 and IL-2 in newly reported leprosy patients were higher than that in cured leprosy patients, with significant difference (P＜0.005). The levels of IL-6 in newly reported leprosy patients and cured leprosy people were higher than those in healthy controls (P＜0.005). The levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A in newly reported leprosy patients were higher than those in healthy controls (P＜0.005). There was no difference in the levels of IL-4，IL-10 and TNF among newly reported leprosy patients, cured leprosy patients and healthy controls. Conclusion: Th1, Th2 and Th17 related cytokines may be associated with the development of leprosy.

Key words: leprosy, cytokines, flow cytometric bead array