On one hand, the polymorphism rs1045411, which is located in the 3'-untranslated region of HMGB1, might be biologically functional as the mutant allele of this polymorphism was recently reported to be significantly associated with higher positive blood culture rates and elevated cytokine levels, particularly in patients with chronic lung diseases or diabetes as co-morbidities [24]. Here, HMGB1 is linked to diabetes mellitus.