IL-6 plays a central role in the host defence during inflammation caused by infections and has a variety of biological effects, including induction of acute phase protein production, such as CRP and SAA, by the hepatocytes, stimulation of adrenocorticotropic hormone, as well as secretion of cortisol, suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, activation of B- and T-lymphocytes, and modulation of haematopoiesis [10,32,36]. The gene discussed is POMC; the disease is infection.