IL18 and viral infectious disease: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause chronic hepatitis B (CHB).270 HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure patients have been shown to have higher levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in their liver tissues.271 Moreover, the NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1β levels in liver tissues of CHB patients were positively correlated with the concentrations of HBV-DNA.272 This data suggests that long-term HBV infection activates the NLRP3 signaling pathway and promotes the IL-1β and IL-18-mediated injury of liver tissues.