IFNG and infection: Our qRT-PCR results are compatible with the previously reported pivotal role of IFN-γ and TNF in the neuroinflammatory response to T. gondii. IFN-γ, which is the key cytokine to control T. gondii infection, is produced at high levels initially by microglia and neutrophil granulocytes and by lymphocytes at later stages of the infection [6, 77].