A study found that HLA-DR1 and HLA-DRw10 were commoner in patients with DCM.40 Elevated plasma levels of inflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein and a plasma marker of apoptosis have also been found in DCM patients,41-43 and those with peripartum cardiomyopathy.44 Leucocyte cytokines were also found to be elevated in these patients. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is familial dilated cardiomyopathy.