A multivariable analysis including only the episodes initially admitted to the ICU (N = 1369) revealed several characteristics independently associated with unfavourable outcome (Table 2): admittance to an academic hospital, advanced age (> 70 years), alcoholism, cranial nerve palsies or seizures on admission, low leukocyte count in blood, high C-reactive protein in blood, low CSF:blood glucose ratio, listerial meningitis, need for mechanical ventilation, circulatory shock and persistent fever. This evidence concerns the gene CRP and Shock.