In this respect, we reported bactDNA-activated cell-mediated immune response and nitric oxide overproduction through the inducible form of NO synthase in peritoneal macrophages from patients with cirrhosis and ascites [9] and, more recently, the primed status of peritoneal M-DM from cirrhotic patients related to ERK phosphorylation and IL-6 secretion [10]. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is mal de Meleda.