Gamma Interferon and AIDS

To the Editor: Murray et al. (April 5 issue) report abnormally low levels of cell proliferation and gamma immune interferon production by mononuclear cells from patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) that had been stimulated with mitogen or microbial antigen.¹ They suggest that impaired lymphokine production may predispose patients with AIDS to opportunistic infections. However, macrophage effector cells from patients with AIDS can respond in vitro to exogenous gamma interferon with increased antimicrobial activity. Thus, these studies may establish a rationale for gamma immune interferon therapy in patients with AIDS. In contrast to the above findings, we have found.