TNF and Sepsis: Characterization of host responses during C. albicans/S. aureus polymicrobial IAI demonstrated that mortality is associated with robust inflammation and with elevated levels of hallmark sepsis proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and IL-1β), both locally and systemically, as early as 4 h and continuing through 24 to 48 h postinoculation.