Cytokines were extensively investigated during TB disease to understand their association with bacterial burden (IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-6)8,38, cavitation (IL-1β)19, disease severity and pathogenesis (IL-17A, IL-1β, and IL-6)8,9, and time to culture conversion (IL-17A)8. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and tuberculosis.