In critically ill cirrhotic patients with SIRS, a baseline AEC value < 198.5 cells/mm3 can accurately predict the in-hospital mortality with high sensitivity. Other biomarkers such as CRP, serum creatinine, total leukocyte count, platelet count could also play a role both independently and in conjunction with AEC to predict outcomes and mortality in cirrhotic patients with sepsis and SIRS. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is systemic inflammatory response syndrome.