IL6 and infection: Astrocytes and glial cells play an important role in the protection against infection by secreting cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, GM-CSF, IL- 10, IFN-g, and chemotactic cytokines (IP-10 and MCP- 1), which prevent lesions and restrict the replication of the parasite (Wilson & Hunter 2004, Drögemüller et al. 2008, Strunk et al. 2014).