Subgroup analysis of assays used to determine IL-6 levels showed a higher mean IL-6 level in cases with severe malaria than those with non-severe malaria among studies using an ELISA for IL-6 measurement (P = 0.006, WMD = 61.14 pg/mL, 95% CI = 17.46–104.81 pg/mL, I2 = 99.5%, nine studies). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and malaria.