In animal models (intraperitoneal injection of Orientia in mouse, not perfectly corresponding to the natural modality of human infection, via intradermal penetration), TH1- and TH2-type responses are not clearly polarised, as both activating (i.e., IL-12, IFN-γ) and suppressive (i.e., IL-10) cytokines are simultaneously detected. This evidence concerns the gene IL10 and infection.