Patients with a confirmed CMV infection at the time of surgery had a significantly shorter disease duration [0.4 years (IQR 0.08–1.5) vs. 5 years (IQR 2–14); p = 0.007] and higher CRP levels [76 (57) mg/L vs. 17 (73) mg/L, reference range: <5.0 mg/L; p = 0.02]. The gene discussed is CRP; the disease is cytomegalovirus infection.