On the other hand, high levels of TNF and a cytokine storm have been postulated to be critical in the development and outcome of severe and CM.16, 17 Here we show that HIV-infected children have retinopathy positive CM with similar clinical features, peripheral parasite density, HRP2 levels and outcome, despite a markedly blunted cytokine response, to HIV-uninfected children with retinopathy-positive CM. This evidence concerns the gene HDGFL2 and retinal disorder.