Terrazzini N, et al. - In view of the previous findings that IL-7 can support immune cell reconstitution in lymphopenic conditions, expand tumor-reactive T cells for adoptive immunotherapy and enhance effector cytokine expression by autoreactive T cells, researchers here investigated if pathogen-reactive T cells also benefit from IL-7 exposure using cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from patients infected with various endemic pathogens. Outcomes revealed that IL-7 unveiled and supported re-activation of pathogen-specific T cells with possible diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic significance, of clinical value especially in conditions of pathogen persistence and chronic infection.