Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Anti-interferon-γ (IFNγ) autoantibodies have been associated with disseminated mycobacterial infections, mostly in patients from Southeast Asia. PURPOSE: We studied an American-born, Caucasian female with M. avium complex infection of the subglottic mucosa and brain for underlying etiologies of infection. METHODS: Plasma was screened for anticytokine autoantibodies using a Luminex-based approach. The ability of patient plasma to block IFNγ-induced STAT1 phosphorylation in normal blood cells was evaluated by flow cytometry with intracellular staining. Plasma inhibition of IFNγ production and IFNγ-induced cytokines in normal and patient blood cells washed of autologous plasma was also evaluated. RESULTS: Patient plasma contained high-titer IgG anti-IFNγ autoantibodies, primarily of the IgG1 subclass. Patient but not control plasma prevented IFNγ-induced STAT1 phosphorylation and expression of the IFNγ-inducible cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α and interleukin (IL)-12 in normal blood cells. Patient blood cells washed free of autologous plasma demonstrated normal IFNγ production and response. CONCLUSIONS: Disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infections should always prompt immune evaluation. This first case of disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection and anti-IFNγ autoantibodies in an American-born Caucasian suggests that anti-cytokine autoantibodies are not racially or regionally restricted.