In our study, no significant associations were found between serum levels of IL-13, TNF-α and IL-12 and different genotypes [TNF-α (− 238 G/A), IL-12 (+ 1188 A/C), IL-13 (− 1112C/T and IL-13-1512A/C)] of the brucellosis patients and controls. Here, TNF is linked to brucellosis.