Effect of an interferon stimulator, polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid, on experimental fungus infections.

IN THE PRESENT STUDY, THE ADMINISTRATION OF AN INTERFERON STIMULATOR, POLYINOSINIC: polycytidylic acid (In:Cn), increased the severity of both experimental Candida albicans and Coccidioides immitis infections in mice, as evidenced by earlier time of death and higher final mortality. In addition, kidney tissue levels of C. albicans at 3 and 5 days after infection were found to be about 40- to 300-fold higher in In:Cn treated mice than in control mice. Experimental Cryptococcus neoformans infection, however, was not significantly affected by In:Cn treatment.