IL‐6 played to amplify an acute inflammation as well as to contribute to the transition into the chronic phase of inflammation.23 Previous study reported IL‐6 as well as IL‐1β, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and GM‐CSF to be useful markers to distinguish bacterial and viral meningitis.5, 6, 24 But in our study, CSF levels of IL‐2, IL‐6, IL‐10, TNF, and IFN‐γ all showed no difference between EVM and BM groups. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is viral meningitis.