For definitive diagnosis culture or histopathologic examination is required and typically obtained during surgical debridement. Other nonspecific signs of osteomyelitis can include elevated white blood cell count and elevated inflammatory markers (erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP)) but these are non-specific tests that can also be elevated in a myriad of other conditions. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is osteomyelitis.