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. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and infection.