1. To evade recognition by the immune system. Pathogens may evolve mechanisms to modulate inflammation in order to reduce or even prevent the host's immune response, allowing them to replicate and spread before the immune system can respond.
2. To reduce damage to the host. Pathogens may also evolve mechanisms to modulate inflammation in order to reduce the amount of tissue damage caused by the immune response, which may help them to survive longer within the host.