Significant effects of infection were not detected on the other three acute phase protein mRNAs tested (Serum amyloid P-component (Sap), haptoglobin (Hapt), α-fibrinogen (Fga), Additional file 6: Fig. S2), although both Sap and Hapt trended toward an increase in infected mice at 4 and 12 days. This evidence concerns the gene APCS and infection.