Therefore, the purpose of this study was to (i) evaluate the CSF levels of the chemokines IL-8, RANTES, MIG, MCP-1 and IP-10 in HFMD patients with encephalitis; (ii) identify the possible interrelationships between the chemokines and CSF parameters; and (iii) investigate their potential role in HFMD as biomarkers reflecting pathogenesis, which may pave the way for new therapeutic targets. The gene discussed is CXCL9; the disease is hand, foot and mouth disease.