The observational nature of this study meant that it was not possible to exclude a shared cause for the increase in white cell counts and venular dilatation rather than the white cells directly affecting dilatation.  However a study from Rotterdam similarly found that a higher white cell count was associated with larger venular diameter9, and that this was explained by the infection-induced leucocytosis being partly modulated by  CRP level33,34. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and infection.