CRP and infection: Infection with MRSA, compared to MSSA, was associated with greater inflammation early in the disease course, including increased white blood cell (WBC) count (14,000/mcL vs 12,100/mcL, p = 0.03), higher absolute neutrophil count at admission (10,600/mcL vs 9,000/mcL, p = 0.02), higher peak WBC count (14,800/mcL vs 13,100/mcL, p = 0.05), and higher peak CRP (193 mg/L vs 151 mg/L, p = 0.05).