CRP and abscess: After adjustment for age, gender, comorbidity, fever and neurological deficits at diagnosis, microorganisms, abscesses (i.e. epidural or paravertebral), surgery and laboratory parameters, correct empirical antibiotic therapy, as well as antibiotic regimen containing rifampicin, lower CRP at 2 weeks compared to baseline CRP was the only independent predictor of switching to an oral antibiotic regimen after 2 weeks (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5-0.9, p = 0.041, per 10 mg/l increase).