Interferon production in male homosexuals with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or generalized lymphadenopathy.

We measured serum interferon (IFN) levels and leukocyte IFN production in vitro in homosexual men with AIDS or generalized lymphadenopathy and in asymptomatic homosexual or heterosexual men. Acid-labile interferon alpha was detected in the serum of two patients with AIDS and in three out of nine patients with lymphadenopathy, but not in the sera of healthy homosexual or heterosexual controls. The presence of serum interferon in patients with AIDS or lymphadenopathy was correlated with a marked deficiency of their leukocytes to synthesize interferon alpha in response to viruses or tumor cells, but did not significantly interfere with the production of interferon gamma in response to lectin or bacterial enterotoxin. Our results suggest an inverse correlation between serum interferon alpha and the amount of interferon alpha produced in leukocyte cultures in male homosexuals with AIDS or generalized lymphadenopathy.