To date, two interrelated biomarkers have repeatedly proven predictive of acquisition of both nosocomial infection and mortality and have consequently been used to guide inclusion in clinical trials: monocyte human leukocyte antigen DR (mHLA-DR) expression (6,7) and ex vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole blood (WB) tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) release (8–10). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is nosocomial infection.