Interferon-γ 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-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.