Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients carrying this polymorphism, showed reduced IFN-γ and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) secretion on response to stimulation with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and C. albicans. These patients seem to have an increased risk of CMV infection and autoimmune manifestations as well. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is cytomegalovirus infection.