Lower growth factor and Th1 cytokine responses, and lower concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) were associated with TB-IRIS, whereas higher baseline proinflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6, in addition to MCP-1 and EOTAXIN, were associated with death, suggesting different pathophysiological mechanisms leading to TB-IRIS and early mortality due to TB, following ART initiation. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is tuberculosis.