The cytokine profiles expressed by C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice strains were different in the baseline levels and during infection with S. schenckii. Control C57BL/6 mice showed lower levels of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-12 (p70) compared with control group of BALB/c (Figure 8), which suggests a predisposition towards the inflammatory or Th1 response in BALB/c mice. Here, TNF is linked to infection.