TNF and respiratory tract infectious disorder: However, we have not observed significant impairment in TNF-α production from Tlr5−/− alveolar macrophages stimulated ex vivo with killed B. pseudomallei [unpublished data] and it is notable that our studies of murine respiratory infection with B. thailandensis (a related and flagellated but less virulent organism) have not shown any Tlr5-dependent phenotype [20].