Since [i] CCL20 attracts granulocytes in a Boyden chamber assay and [ii] intracisternal CCL20 injection leads to CSF pleocytosis with granulocytes as the predominant cell type, we postulate a direct chemotactic role of CCL20 in the recruitment of granulocytes in pneumococcal meningitis. Here, CCL20 is linked to pneumococcal meningitis.