There were no statistical differences in lymphocyte counts and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts between the two groups (632 versus 738/μL, P=0.585, and 261 versus 287/μL, P=0.795, respectively), but the percentages of circulating CD4+ T lymphocytes expressing interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-17 were significantly higher in patients with sepsis (8.2% versus 5.1%, P=0.029; and 8.6% versus 7.0%, P=0.049, respectively). The gene discussed is IL17A; the disease is Sepsis.