The NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a protein complex composed of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein and caspase-1 and is an important part of the cellular machinery controlling the release of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 and the pathogenesis of numerous infectious diseases. This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and infectious disease.