TNF and infectious disease: TNF-α is known to play a role in the control of infectious diseases, particularly those caused by intracellular microorganisms such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis.[11] Its role is particularly important in organizing the activation and maintenance of granuloma.[12,13] Accordingly, despite its efficacy, TNF inhibitors therapy has been shown to increase the incidence of infections in general and of serious infections (such as tuberculosis) in particular.[14,15]