<s>[INST] hello doctor,my mother is 58 and she has been suffering from a spinal infection for the past 3 yrs and she is on ributin and catbutanol(i am not sure of this tablet name alone) and her mri which had been taken in dec showed very slight traces of the infection. the esr levels are 105 which is higher than before. she is also on catheter for the past 3 yrs and also suffering from arthritis as well. i dont think the esr level can increase because of the infection because she is having good appetite and she is not having fever which she used to have when she suffered from heavy infection.. What could be the reason for the raised ESR levels. [/INST] Hi, dairy have gone through your question. I can understand your concern. There are many causes of high ESR.  Tuberculosis, infection, anemia, autoimmune disease, paraprotienemia, malignancies all can lead to high ESR.  You should search the cause.  She is having arthritis.  You should investigate FOA any autoimmune disease.  Consult your doctor and take treatment accordingly. Hope I have answered your question, if you have doubt then I will be happy to answer. Thanks for using Chat Doctor. Wish you a very good health. Don't forget to click, thank you. </s>