When comparing the early and late secondary infection groups (development of secondary infection at 1 [− 1–2] and 12 [9–16] days after cessation of DEXA, respectively), the late infection group displayed a more pronounced increase in levels of both PCT and CRP following alignment day, with significantly higher levels of PCT on days 0 and 2 (Additional file 2: Fig. S2). This evidence concerns the gene CRP and infection.