In an interesting parallel, the infection of macrophages by another phagosome-resident microbe, Mycobacterium leprae, also induces classical anti-viral responses including IFN-β expression via interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and downstream genes, such as 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)-like (OASL2), that allow microbial survival and growth (19). The gene discussed is IRF3; the disease is infection.