Blood tests revealed leukopenia with a nuclear shift to the left, elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin, severe respiratory failure (arterial blood gas pH 7.342, PaCO2 26.0 mmHg, PaO2 37.7 mmHg, HCO3− 13.7 mmol/l), renal failure and metabolic acidosis (Table 1). Here, CRP is linked to kidney failure.