CRP and infection: Possible explanations of the various accuracies and thresholds of CRP are the different infection definitions used, the heterogenous spectrum of microorganisms detected by the different study groups (low- and high-virulence pathogens), the dissimilar incubation period (5 to 14 days), patient factors (autoimmune disorders, cancer, age, sex, underlying diseases, medications, etc.), and the influence of antimicrobial or immunomodulatory therapies (corticosteroids).