Immunology
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To evaluate the role of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in Staphylococcus aureus infection, we investigated the effects of supplementation with and neutralization of IFN-gamma during septicaemia and arthritis in a murine model. In vivo administration of IFN-gamma both before and after bacterial inoculation significantly decreased mortality on one hand but enhanced the development of arthritis on the other. ⋯ The down-regulation of the development of arthritis by anti-IFN-gamma mAb was accompanied by the decreased serum tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 beta levels. These results demonstrate a significant role for IFN-gamma in simultaneous protection against septicaemia but promotion for the development of septic arthritis.