The concentrations of IL-1β in the HPI+ group were significantly higher than those in the HPI− group at 6 and 9 h post-infection (P < 0.01), the concentrations of IL-18 in the HPI+ group were significantly higher than those in the HPI− group at 0.5, 3 and 9 h post-infection (P < 0.01) and higher than those in the HPI− at the other time-points (P < 0.05). This evidence concerns the gene IL18 and infection.