Plasma But Not Cerebrospinal Fluid Interleukin 7 and Interleukin 5 Levels Pre–Antiretroviral Therapy Commencement Predict Cryptococcosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome

Abstract

High plasma IL-5 and IL-7 levels pre-ART were associated with increased risk of developing C-IRIS. High IL-5 levels may reflect a Th2 environment associated with impaired clearance of cryptococci while high IL-7 levels may reflect IL-7/IL-7R pathway dysfunction in T cells, both of which could be associated with C-IRIS immunopathogenesis.