Figure 6A shows not only association of Th17 cells with RORC but also its increased expression in both HC and BT as compared to LL patients in the antigen stimulated PBMC cultures (p<0.0007 and p<0.0001 respectively) and the dermal lesions (p<0.02, p<0.01 respectively). It also showed strong correlation with IL-17A and IFN-γ in PBMC cultures (r2 = 0.94 and 0.84 respectively, p<0.0001) of both types of leprosy. This evidence concerns the gene IL17A and leprosy.