Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a very rare disease whose defect lies in an abnormal intracellular killing resulting in recurrent abscesses, lymphadenitis and granuloma formation. We describe 2 Malay male infants with CGD whom we believe to be the first report of this disorder in Malays. Both children presented with recurrent abscesses, pneumoniae and hepatosplenomegaly; lymphadenopathy was also present in one of the patients. The organisms isolated were catalase positive bacteria. Both neutrophil chemiluminescence (against fungal and bacterial antigens, phorbol myristate acetate) and intracellular killing assays were severely depressed. Recognition of CGD is important as great strides have been made in the treatment of this disease which include gamma interferon therapy besides the conventional prophylactic antibacterial therapy.
Matched MeSH terms: Interferon-gamma/therapeutic use
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). About one-third of the world's population is latently infected with TB and 5-15% of them will develop active TB in their lifetime. It is estimated that each case of active TB may cause 10-20 new infections. Host immune response to Mtb is influenced by interferon- (IFN-) signaling pathways, particularly by type I and type II interferons (IFNs). The latter that consists of IFN-γ has been associated with the promotion of Th1 immune response which is associated with protection against TB. Although this aspect remains controversial at present due to the lack of established correlates of protection, currently, there are different prophylactic, diagnostic, and immunotherapeutic approaches in which IFNs play an important role. This review summarizes the main aspects related with the biology of IFNs, mainly associated with TB, as well as presents the main applications of these cytokines related to prophylaxis, diagnosis, and immunotherapy of TB.
Matched MeSH terms: Interferon-gamma/therapeutic use