Interleukin (IL)-8 production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) to Cryptococcus neoformans is related to complement activation. Generation of the bioactive fragments C3a and C5a is responsible for IL-8 release. IL-8 production was analyzed in response to C. neoformans by PMNL from persons with early- and late-stage (>400 and <200 CD4 cells/mm3, respectively) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who were at high risk for cryptococcosis. IL-8 release by PMNL from persons with early-stage infection and from healthy donors was similar; however, PMNL from persons with late-stage HIV infection had significantly impaired IL-8 production, which correlated with reduced IL-8 response to C3a and C5a proteins and decreased CD88 expression. Addition of murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) 18B7 promoted phagocytosis and restored IL-8 release consistent with integrity of FcgammaRIII. These results provide evidence for a selective defect in CD88 expression on PMNL from persons with late-stage HIV infection. However, Fcgamma receptor expression in PMNL appears to be intact and allows MAb to glucuronoxylomannan to positively influence PMNL function.