Interleukin-6 (also called hepatocyte stimulating factor), as previously mentioned, is involved with the production of proteins of the acute phase, such as C-reactive protein (CRP).8 The production and secretion of IL-6 may be induced by a great variety of stimuli, including infection by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, lipopolysaccharides, TNF-α, interleukin 1β, gamma interferon and platelet-derived growth factor.9–11 The kinetics of this cytokine is very fast (induction in less than 1–2 hours), but concentrations may decline within very short time. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is infection.