In order to better understand the relative contribution of inflammasome activation and IL-1ß release in Mtb infection in vivo, we analyzed IL-1ß, IL-18, IFN-α, and TNF levels in the plasma of patients recently diagnosed with active pulmonary TB (TB) and their “household contacts” (CNT) from an endemic TB area (Brazilian State of Amazonas). This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and pulmonary tuberculosis.