In our overall analysis, including IL-4 and IL-17 levels and OVA sensitization/challenge, IL-4 levels (OR: 81.9, 95%CI: 4.3–1523 per increment of 1.0 pg/mL, P = 0.003) were more significant than IL-17 levels (OR: 1.1, 95%CI: 1.03–1.17 per increment of 1.0 pg/mL, P = 0.003) in determining the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia. This evidence concerns the gene IL17A and pneumococcal pneumonia.