Our study failed to identify soluble immunological biomarkers that could reliably distinguish between TBM from other HIV-associated meningitides although a few, including IL-1β, IL-17, PDGF-BB, G-CSF and cathelicidin may require further evaluation in future studies to improve the understanding of the immunopathogenesis or improved diagnosis of HIV-1-associated adult TBM. The gene discussed is IL1B; the disease is meningeal tuberculosis.