CRP and bacterial infectious disease: Pleural fluid characteristics that can strongly suggest an infective pathology include an exudative effusion with a low pH (<7.20), low glucose (<40–60 mg/dL), high C-reactive protein (>100 mg/L), and a raised white cell count (with polymorphonuclear predominance).[44] Ten patients received antibiotics, but they had a suspicion or evidence of concurrent bacterial infection.