Protective effect of human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (hG-CSF) on Cryptococcus and Aspergillus infections in normal and immunosuppressed mice.

Prophylactic treatment with human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (hG-CSF) affords significant protection against systemic aspergillosis or pulmonary aspergillosis in neutropenic (cyclophosphamide-treated) mice but not in cortisone-treated animals. Cryptococcosis does not respond to hG-CSF therapy. Our data show that granulocytes play an important role in the immune defense against aspergillosis, but not against cryptococcosis. Combined treatment using hG-CSF and conventional antimycotics shows a significant beneficial effect in systemic or pulmonary aspergillosis.