IL1A and systemic inflammatory response syndrome: I read the recent report on new biormarkers for differentiating between systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis with great interest.[1] Indeed, at present, there are many new biomarkers that might be useful in the clinical management of cases suspected for sepsis.[2] Punyadeera et al. reported that metalloproteinases and selectin play a role in the distinction between SIRS and sepsis, and that IL-1α, IP-10, sTNF-R2 and sFas appear to be indicative for the progression from sepsis to septic shock.[1] Based on laboratory medicine principle, there are some comments on this work.