IL6 and Stroke: The main findings of this study are that (i) the temporal patterns of serum levels of the biomarkers IL-6, LBP and CRP differ significantly between patients with and without SAIs, (ii) the additional predictive value of the circulating biomarkers, in addition to the clinical SAI-predictors, is limited and (iii) in patients following an acute stroke, the serum levels of IL-6 within 12 h of the stroke onset are predictive of LRTIs, which is associated with an unfavourable long-term outcome.