What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Disseminated opportunistic infections and persistent tuberculosis (n=119). Intervention: Anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and IL-12 levels vs. Healthy controls. Primary outcome: Anti-IFN-γ autoantibody concentrations (p=0.004).

What does this research mean for the field?

Apparently immunocompetent adults with disseminated intracellular opportunistic infections or persistent tuberculosis have significantly elevated levels of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies compared to healthy controls. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to evaluate the relationship between anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and severe opportunistic infections in immunocompetent adults.

May 23, 2026Open Access

Anti-IFN-γ Autoantibodies and Disseminated Opportunistic Infections in Immunocompetent Indian Adults

Key Result

Anti-IFN-γ autoantibody levels were significantly higher in patients with disseminated opportunistic infections (66.0 ng/mL) or persistent TB (65.5 ng/mL) than healthy controls (44.8 ng/mL; p=0.004).

Key Points

This research aims to evaluate the relationship between anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and severe opportunistic infections in immunocompetent adults.
Cross-sectional study assessing anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and IL-12 levels in three groups: patients with disseminated infections, those with tuberculosis, and healthy controls.
Inclusion of HIV negative individuals with relevant conditions: disseminated infections (n=44), persistent tuberculosis (n=41), and healthy controls (n=34).
Median anti-IFN-γ autoantibody concentrations were significantly elevated in both infection groups (Group 1: 66·02 ng/mL; Group 2: 65·46 ng/mL) compared to controls (44·77 ng/mL).
IL-12 levels were significantly higher in Group 1 with opportunistic infections compared to healthy controls (p = 0·006).
In the Group 1 group, 6·8% had relapses and 6·8% died.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=119)

Structured PICO

Are anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and IL-12 levels elevated in immunocompetent Indian adults with disseminated opportunistic infections or persistent tuberculosis compared to healthy controls?

Population

119 HIV negative, apparently immunocompetent Indian adults, including patients with disseminated intracellular opportunistic infections (Group 1; n=44), persistent tuberculosis (Group 2; n=41), and healthy controls (Group 3; n=34).

Comparator

Healthy controls (Group 3; n=34)

Outcome

Levels of plasma anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and IL-12surrogate

Anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies are significantly elevated in apparently immunocompetent Indian adults with disseminated opportunistic infections or persistent tuberculosis, suggesting a role in adult-onset immunodeficiency.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 66.02% vs 44.77%

p-value: p=0.004

Abstract

AbstractObjectives Though anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies are associated with adult-onset immunodeficiency among Asians, they are not routinely tested. Despite rising reports of disseminated opportunistic infections in apparently immunocompetent individuals, the clinical course and prevalence of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies remain poorly characterized. We evaluated the association between severe opportunistic infections and plasma anti-IFN-γ antibodies and IL-12 levels. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated levels of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and IL-12 in HIV negative, apparently immunocompetent patients with disseminated intracellular opportunistic infections (Group 1; n=44) or persistent tuberculosis (Group 2; n=41) against healthy controls (Group 3; n=34). Results Common infections in Group 1 were disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections (40·9%), cryptococcosis (36·4%), and disseminated histoplasmosis (13·6%). Median anti-IFN-γ autoantibody concentrations were significantly higher in Group 1 66·02 ng/mL; IQR 52·19–85·86; p = 0·004 and Group 2 65·46 ng/mL; IQR 52·31–86·03; p = 0·004 than in Group 3 44·77 ng/mL; IQR 28·56–69·93. When compared to controls, IL-12 levels were significantly elevated in Group 1 (p = 0·006). In Group 1, three patients had relapses (6·8%), and three patients died (6·8%). Conclusions Patients with disseminated intracellular opportunistic infections and those with persistent tuberculosis had significantly higher levels of anti- IFN-γ autoantibodies than healthy controls . IL-12 levels were significantly higher in patients with disseminated intracellular opportunistic infections than among healthy controls. There was no significant difference in IL-12 levels among patients with persistent tuberculosis and healthy controls.

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