Interferon-gamma therapy in two patients with progressive chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
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-gamma 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-gamma therapy was associated with significant clinical improvement. The data suggest that impaired production of interferon-gamma can be seen in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Adjunctive cytokine therapy with interferon-gamma may be useful in patients with progressive disease despite adequate anti-fungal therapy.
Kelleher
P
P
Dept of Immunology, Imperial College, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK. p.kelleher@imperial.ac.uk
Goodsall
A
A
Mulgirigama
A
A
Kunst
H
H
Henderson
D C
DC
Wilson
R
R
Newman-Taylor
A
A
Levin
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000187:drug effects; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D008875:Middle Aged
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D007371:Interferon-gamma