In the present study we show that the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α were higher in HTLV-1 infected patients with sicca syndrome than in HTLV-1 infected subjects without sicca syndrome, indicating that the exacerbated proinflammatory response observed in HTLV-1 infection may play a role in the destruction of the salivary and lacrimal glands observed during this viral infection. The gene discussed is IFNG; the disease is Sjogren syndrome.