HMGB1 and infection: The circulating HMGB1 level is significantly higher in SAP patients than in patients with mild pancreatitis [43]; the serum HMGB1 levels are higher in SAP patients with organ dysfunction and infection than in patients without organ dysfunction or infection [36]; the serum HMGB1 levels in nonsurvivors are higher than those in survivors [36]; serum HMGB1 levels are positively correlated with disease severity scores [36].