CRP and infection: Mean CRP in the low response subgroup remained <20 mg/L throughout; this subgroup had fewer repeat blood cultures (18.1% with >1 blood culture vs. 26.0% in those peaking on day 1, SMD = 0.19), more negative cultures (92.6% vs. 85.7%, SMD = 0.32) and more community-onset suspected infections (85.6% vs. 78.1%, SMD = 0.20); patients were also generally younger (median 63.6 vs. 69.2 years, SMD = 0.19, Table S3).