IL17A and leprosy: Figure 2 illustrates the analysis of soluble mediators, expressed as the concentration of each biomarker in pg/mL, treated as continuous variables. Data from cultures without exogenous stimuli (unstimulated cultures) revealed that household contacts (HHC) exhibited lower levels of CXCL8 and CCL2 but higher production of IL-6, TNF, IL-17, and IL-10 when compared to endemic controls (EC). Additionally, the leprosy patients (L) group showed elevated TNF levels, but reduced secretion of CCL5, IFN-γ, and IL-4, compared to EC (Figure 2A).