Although macrophages are critical for clearing parasites in the blood following infection with African trypanosomes, their classical activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12, and TNF), nitric oxide, and increased expression of MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules (15, 44, 88, 89) have also been shown to contribute to disease pathogenesis and severity. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and infection.