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. 1997 Jul;65(7):2975–2977. doi: 10.1128/iai.65.7.2975-2977.1997

Role of gamma interferon in the pathogenesis of bacteremic pneumococcal pneumonia.

J B Rubins 1, C Pomeroy 1
PMCID: PMC175417  PMID: 9199475

Abstract

Gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) concentrations in blood, but not in lungs, rose significantly at 24 to 48 h after murine pulmonary infection with virulent pneumococci. In contrast, infection with avirulent pneumococcal strains produced minimal rises in serum IFN-gamma concentrations. Compared with that of immunocompetent mice, mortality was appreciably increased after pulmonary infection of IFN-gamma gene knockout mice, suggesting a protective role for IFN-gamma in host response to pneumococcal disease.

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Selected References

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