This study aims to evaluate the role of Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of early Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by periods of remission and relapse, with symptoms ranging from abdominal pain and diarrhea to severe complications such as fistulas and intestinal obstruction.

Interleukins (ILs) are known clusters of cytokines that regulate the proliferation, development, and activation of immune cells. IL-12 is predominantly a pro-inflammatory cytokine secreted by antigen-presenting cells (APC) in response to sensing of microbial components by Toll-like receptors. Another member of this family, IL-23 is also produced by DCs and macrophages after toll-like receptors (TLRs) engagement.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age from 18 to 65 years.
• Both sexes.
• Patients who are suspected of having Crohn's disease clinically and by colonoscopy (like ulcers, fistulas, or skip lesions).
• Non-specific ileitis by histopathology.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with no pathological samples through colonoscopy.
• History of other significant gastrointestinal diseases (e.g., colon cancer, ischemic bowel disease).
• Immunosuppressive therapy or biologic agents at the time of study.
• Previous abdominal surgeries.

This retrospective study will be carried out on 110 patients suspected of having Crohn's disease are present in Tanta University Hospitals in the period from January 2021 to December 2023 and the data will be collected in the duration from February 2025 to May 2025 that after approval from the institutional ethical committee.

The data will be available upon a reasonable request from the corresponding author after the end of study for one year.

After the end of study for one year.

The data will be available upon a reasonable request from the corresponding author.