Finally, a recent study demonstrated that higher circulating IL-6 levels (although not CRP) were associated with higher NT-proBNP levels in a large community-dwelling cohort; in hospitalized patients, acute respiratory tract infections and sepsis were associated with higher plasma BNP levels, even in those without HF; positive associations were also seen between white cell count, CRP and BNP levels [41]. This evidence concerns the gene NPPB and hydrops fetalis.