Further, there was a significant positive correlation between HMGB1 levels and WBC counts (r = 0.86, P<0.01, Fig. 4A), TNF-α level (r = 0.75, P<0.01, Fig. 4B) as well as IL-6 level (r = 0.81, P<0.01, Fig. 4C) in PDE of patients with peritonitis. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is peritonitis.