Most likely, this observation was due to secondary effects of the additional neutralization of IFN-γ on IL-6 production or pathology, which in turn lead to altered inflammatory conditions and responses, Ultimately, future studies will be needed to clarify a possible distinct role for IL-6 in secondary pneumococcal infection following IAV infection and here especially in bacterial dissemination from the respiratory tract. Here, IFNG is linked to pneumococcal infection.