TLR9 and Sepsis: Nonetheless, despite no association with a greater risk of death, evidence that a gain of function polymorphism in TLR9 (TLR9-1237T/C) is associated with a two-fold increased risk of severe sepsis and progression to shock in paediatric patients (median age 8 months) has piqued interest in TLR9 as a future target for sepsis treatment (171).