In response to an inflammatory stimulus, such as an infection, CRP levels usually begin to rise within 6–12 h, peak around 36–50 h, and then decline with a half-life of approximately 19 h once the stimulus is removed.33, 34, 35 Our findings are generally consistent with these known dynamics, as we observed CRP levels peaking around day 1–2 post-blood culture collection in most subgroups. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is infection.