The relevance of this cytokine during Mtb progressive infection or even in latent infection has been shown during treatment of autoimmune disease where anti-TNF therapy is applied, and there is a higher incidence of TB reactivation [3,38]; in mice deficient of TNF receptor (TNFRp55-/-), there was also deficient granuloma formation with a lethal outcome [39]. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and infection.