Analysis of the host immune responses demonstrated considerable activation of pro- and anti-inflammatory Th1 (TNF α, IFN γ) and Th2 (IL-6, IL-10) cytokines in PBS treated hamsters, similar to that described in lethal cases of HPS in humans [30], which were largely absent in ribavirin treated hamsters, especially those receiving higher concentrations of the drug (Figure 4). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.