Several host mediators have been investigated as potential biomarkers of leptospirosis, such as human serum (mannose binding lectin, MBL) (Miranda et al., 2009), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL8, IL-10, soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 receptor (Wagenaar et al., 2009a), pentraxin 3, and copeptin (Wagenaar et al., 2009b). The gene discussed is CXCL8; the disease is leptospirosis.