Abstract
Infection by Aspergillus species causes a wide spectrum of pulmonary disease in humans.
In two patients with semi-invasive Aspergillus-induced lung disease, significantly reduced levels of interferon-γ secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells were found after in vitro stimulation with the T-cell mitogen phytohaemagglutinin. Despite anti-fungal therapy, both patients exhibited progressive disease, and adjunctive interferon-γ therapy was associated with significant clinical improvement.
The data suggest that impaired production of interferon-γ can be seen in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Adjunctive cytokine therapy with interferon-γ may be useful in patients with progressive disease despite adequate anti-fungal therapy.
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