In a small nonrandomized study, methylprednisolone treatment (~1 mg·kg−1 intravenously, given mainly for bronchial dilatation) was associated with lower systemic levels of IL‐6 and CRP, and reduced BAL fluid cellularity, but there was no decrease in IL‐6 levels in the BAL fluid of mechanically ventilated patients with severe pneumonia 36. Here, CRP is linked to pneumonia.