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Published on: July 11, 2015
Clinical Characteristics Analysis of 30 Cases of Interferon-γ Autoantibody-Positive Patients with Concurrent
Chun-Yan Zhao1,2, Chang Song1,2, Hua-Wei He1
1Department of Tuberculosis, The Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, People's Republic of China.
Purpose:
This study aimed to investigate and elucidate the clinical characteristics, immune status, infection types and patterns, treatment responses, and disease progression in patients with positive anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibodies in combination with Mycobacterium infections.
Patients And Methods:
We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical data from patients with positive anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and concurrent Mycobacterial infections, including Mycobacterial infections (MTB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The study included cases treated at the Fourth People's Hospital of Nanning, Guangxi, from 2018 to 2023. Data collected comprised symptoms, clinical signs, laboratory test results, imaging findings, and other relevant clinical information. Patients were also followed up to evaluate treatment responses and long-term therapeutic outcomes.
Results:
A total of 30 patients with MTB and NTM infections were analyzed. The majority presented with common symptoms, such as cough, sputum production, weight loss, extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB), and a range of opportunistic infections. Laboratory and imaging studies revealed complex infection patterns and various pathological changes. Treatment primarily involved targeted anti-infective therapy combined with immunosupportive measures. However, frequent treatment relapses and side effects were observed, resulting in two deaths.
Conclusion:
Immune deficiency associated with positive anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies resembles the immunosuppression seen in advanced stages of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), rendering patients highly susceptible to opportunistic infections. These infections were predominantly caused by NTM, followed by MTB and Talaromyces marneffei (TM). This represents a novel immune deficiency syndrome that predisposes patients to a spectrum of opportunistic infections.
Insights
Patients with anti-interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibodies develop a novel immune deficiency, similar to HIV/AIDS, leading to opportunistic infections like NTM and MTB. Treatment challenges include relapses and side effects.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Autoimmunity
Background:
- Autoantibodies against interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) are associated with specific clinical syndromes.
- Mycobacterial infections, including tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), pose significant health challenges.
- Understanding immune deficiencies is crucial for managing opportunistic infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with positive anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and Mycobacterium infections.
- To elucidate immune status, infection patterns, and treatment responses in this patient cohort.
- To describe disease progression and outcomes in individuals with this autoimmune condition.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 30 patients (2018-2023).
- Inclusion of patients with both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and NTM infections.
- Collection of data on symptoms, laboratory results, imaging, treatment, and follow-up outcomes.
Main Results:
- Patients presented with cough, weight loss, extrapulmonary TB, and opportunistic infections.
- Complex infection patterns and pathological changes were observed.
- Treatment involved anti-infectives and immunosupportive measures, with frequent relapses and two deaths.
Conclusions:
- Positive anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies induce an immune deficiency resembling advanced HIV/AIDS.
- This leads to susceptibility to opportunistic infections, primarily NTM, MTB, and Talaromyces marneffei (TM).
- This condition represents a novel immune deficiency syndrome predisposing to diverse opportunistic infections.
