interferon gamma + basic anti-tuberculosis therapy

**Interferon gamma + basic anti-tuberculosis therapy** is a combination regimen in which recombinant or exogenous interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a type II interferon cytokine, is used as an adjunct to standard anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) drug therapy. Interferon gamma acts as an immunomodulator, enhancing both innate and adaptive immune responses, particularly by activating macrophages and promoting Th1-type cellular immunity. Basic anti-tuberculosis therapy refers to the standard regimen for active tuberculosis, typically comprising isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. Multiple clinical studies and meta-analyses suggest that adjunctive administration of interferon gamma (via aerosol, subcutaneous, or intramuscular routes) can accelerate sputum conversion and improve radiological and clinical outcomes—especially in patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)—when combined with first-line anti-TB drugs. Aerosolized IFN-γ seems particularly beneficial and is generally well tolerated with no significant increase in adverse events over standard therapy alone[1][3]. The proposed mechanism reflects the immunostimulatory effect of interferon gamma on host macrophage activation and improved clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as a potential direct effect on bacterial metabolism that may enhance drug susceptibility[2].