A local reaction at the site of injury or infection leads to an activation of cytokines (specifically, IL-6, IL-1, TNF-Alpha, and interferons) that triggers a systemic response consisting of leukocytosis; increases in glucocorticoid production; increases in erythrocyte sedimentation rates, fever, activation of complement and clotting cascades; decreases in serum zinc and iron; and an increase in plasma levels of acute phase proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, and other proteins [12]. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is infection.