IL6 and infection: Unlike in the mono infected patients, cortisol level in the typho-malaria group showed a negative correlation with IL-6 levels (r = −0.411, p = 0.03), and TNF-α levels (r = −0.413, p = 0.01) suggesting a possible dampening effect of cortisol on inflammation in the co-infected group possibly due to the overwhelming immune response to the dual infection.