Therefore, the aims of this study were: 1) to characterize the inflammatory mediator response (pro-inflammatory: IL-1, TNFα, IL-6, IFNγ ; and anti-inflammatory: IL-10) in the peritoneal and blood compartments of patients with secondary peritonitis; 2) to evaluate the potential differences in mediator profiles between shocked and non-shocked patients, survivors and non survivors and according to the type of peritonitis (community-acquired or post-operative); and 3) to look at the potential impact of peritoneal microbiological findings on mediator release. The gene discussed is IL10; the disease is peritonitis.