Volume 36, Number 4, 368-373, DOI: 10.1007/s15010-008-7378-7

Interferon-γ and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor Therapy in Three Patients with Pulmonary Aspergillosis

A. Bandera, D. Trabattoni, G. Ferrario, M. Cesari, F. Franzetti, M. Clerici and A. Gori

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Abstract

An immune response mediated by type 2 cytokines is thought to contribute to the development and unfavorable outcome of aspergillosis. Adjuvant therapy with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was added to antifungal treatment in three nonneutropenic patients (one HIV-positive and two HIV-negative patients) with culture proven aspergillosis refractory to classical antifungal therapy. Clinical improvement was observed concomitantly with an increase in peripheral blood leukocyte proliferation and type 1 cytokines production. Our findings suggest an association between the improvement in type 1 cytokine production observed during IFN-γ and GM-CSF administration and a better control of Aspergillus infection in patients with progressive disease despite adequate antifungal therapy.

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