The increased amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1B (IL-1B), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the serum was shown to be associated with pulmonary inflammation and extensive lung damage in SARS patients [51]. Here, IFNG is linked to severe acute respiratory syndrome.