The association between cytokine gene polymorphisms and chronic osteomyelitis was investigated in order to determine whether genetic variability in cytokine genes predisposes to osteomyelitis susceptibility. Significant genotypic and allelic associations were observed between interleukin 1alpha (IL-1alpha) -889-C/T, IL-4 -1098-G/T and -590-C/T, and IL-6 -174-G/C polymorphisms and osteomyelitis in the Greek population, pointing towards their potential involvement in osteomyelitis pathogenesis.