CRP and tuberculosis: For TB, the spectrum of clinical disease severity is associated with mycobacterial load14–19, and multiple measurements of mycobacterial load (e.g., smear status, Xpert semi-quantitative grade, time-to-culture positivity) have been correlated with CRP levels.9,20–24 Other patient factors (e.g., biologic characteristics, behaviors) and health system factors can influence the mycobacterial load in a population.