Interferon-gamma immunotherapy in a patient with refractory disseminated candidiasis

Abstract

Despite advances in supportive care and novel antifungal agents, mortality due to invasive Candida infection is high. Athree-year-old boy with disseminatedC.dubliniensis infection during induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemiadeteriorated despite resolution of neutropenia and appropriate antifungal treatment. Monocyte HLA-DR-expression was extremely low, suggesting immunoparalysis. Adjuvant immunotherapy with IFN-gamma restored the immune response, which was accompanied by clinical and radiographic recovery.