Fig 4A shows higher percentage of pSTAT3+IL-17+ cells in patients undergoing leprosy reactions as compared to non reaction patients. Moreover, co-expression of STAT3 and IL-17 isomers as indicated by qPCR also showed significant correlation (Fig 4B). (IL-17A; r2 = 0.059, p<0.01, IL-17D; r2 = 0.07, p<0.01, IL-17C; r2 = 0.093, p<0.001, IL-17F; r2 = 0.077, p<0.01). This evidence concerns the gene IL17D and leprosy.