['To evaluate serum C-reactive protein and cholesterol as a prognostic factor for survival in patients with severe sepsis.', 'Prospective study.', 'University hospital.', 'The study population consisted of 96 patients (age range, 18-75 years; median, 56 years; men/women ratio, 40:56) in whom severe sepsis was diagnosed.', "Patients' serum levels of C-reactive protein and cholesterol were measured upon admission to an intensive care unit, two days later, and on the day of discharge from the intensive care unit or on the day of death.", 'Cholesterol levels were significantly lower among the nonsurviving patients (day 1, 92.2 +/- 25.1 mg/dL; day 2, 92.1 +/- 21.7 mg/dL; death/discharge day, 92.2 +/- 21.7 mg/dL) than surviving patients (day 1, 175.1 +/- 38.6 mg/dL [P < 0.001]; day 2, 173.0 +/- 39.3 mg/dL [P < 0.001]; death/discharge day, 171.8 +/- 39.6 mg/dL [P = 0.010]). Median C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher among the nonsurvivors (day 1, 32 mg/dL [range, 20.5-64.5 mg/dL]; day 2, 33 mg/dL [range, 22-74.5 mg/dL]; death/discharge day, 30 mg/dL [range, 22-57 mg/dL]) than survivors (day 1, 10 mg/dL [range, 6-14 mg/dL]; day 2, 9 mg/dL [range, 5-10 mg/dL]; death/discharge day, 6 mg/dL [range, 3-9 mg/dL]; P < 0.001).'] Are high C-reactive protein and low cholesterol levels prognostic markers of survival in severe sepsis?