Diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.1, 95% CI 1.2−7.7), history of fever or fever at admission (aOR 3.9, 95% CI 1.4−11.1), higher serum C-reactive protein (aOR 1.08, 95% CI 1.05−1.11), and higher CSF lactate (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 2.3−5.4) were independent predictors of bacterial infection (Appendix Table 10). Here, CRP is linked to diabetes mellitus.