In the absence of AHR, mice are more susceptible to a variety of infections and inflammatory insults, including Plasmodium berghei ANKA, a rodent malaria parasite that causes lethal cerebral malaria (Bessede et al., 2014; Brant et al., 2014; Di Meglio et al., 2014; Kimura et al., 2014; Moura-Alves et al., 2014; Sanchez et al., 2010; Shi et al., 2007). The gene discussed is AHR; the disease is malaria.