C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific acute phase reactant that correlates with the severity of systemic inflammation.21 Raised neutrophil and lowered lymphocyte counts are typical of bacterial infection.19,22,23 The immune response to TB depends on cellular immunity and utilises T-helper lymphocytes to form granulomas.13,24,25 A preponderance of lymphocytes in TB infection has been described; however, HIV is known to cause CD4 T lymphocyte depletion and dysfunction.13,26. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is tuberculosis.