No differences in IL-6 levels were observed between patients whose severe complications were not specified and those with non-severe malaria (P = 0.077, WMD = 99.26 pg/mL, 95% CI =  − 10.88 –209.4 pg/mL, I2 = 99.9%, 10 studies; Fig. 4). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is malaria.