The untreated patients had significantly higher rates of CURB-65 ≥3 (21 vs. 8%) and ARDS (25 vs. 10%), higher CRP (130 ± 100 vs. 100 ± 80 units) and blood urea nitrogen (22 ± 19 vs. 16 ± 15 units) values together with lower oxygen saturation at admission (93 ± 6% vs. 95 ± 4%). The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.