Age > 60 years (HR 2.72, p<0.05), ICU treatment (HR 2.91, p<0.01), endocarditis (HR 2.61, p<0.05) and day 5 MMP-8/TIMP-1 molar ratio >1.02 (HR 2.34, p<0.05) predicted mortality at 28 days whereas healthy-nonfatal underlying disease (HR 0.43, p<0.05) and rifampicin adjunctive therapy (HR 0.26, p<0.05) improved prognosis. The gene discussed is TIMP1; the disease is endocarditis.