Production of Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) by adherent peritoneal cells from BALB/c mice was measured at week 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 after intravenous inoculation with 10(6) Sporothrix schenckii yeasts. As compared with age-matched controls, IL-1 and TNF production by adherent peritoneal cells from S. schenckii-infected mice was reduced severely at week 4 and 6 of infection and greater than normal at week 8 and 10. Moreover, between week 4 and 6 of infection there was a depression of delayed type hypersensitivity response to a specific whole soluble antigen, and an increase in fungal multiplication in the livers and spleens of infected mice. Thus, the deficits of cell-mediated immunity in mice with systemic S. schenckii infection may derive, in part, from impaired amplification of the immune response consequent to abnormal generation of IL-1 and TNF.