Serum interleukin-6 levels are increased in HIV-infected patients that develop autoimmune disease during long-term follow-up

The present study indicates a correlation between serum free IL-6 levels and the occurrence of autoimmune disease in HIV+ population, treated with ART during a long-term follow-up. The increased levels of serum free IL-6 were observed before ART treatment was initiated, indicating that IL-6 measurement in such patients may represent an early predictor of development of autoimmune disease.