Jarvis and colleagues analyzed the local and systemic immune responses in patients with HIV-associated CM and found that increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (i.e. IL-6, IFN-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)) are correlated with CSF macrophage activation, reduced fungal burden, rapid clearance of infection, and prognosis (78). This evidence concerns the gene TNF and infection.