C-reactive protein (CRP)
Overview:
CRP is a protein that can measure the progression of inflammatory disease, tissue injury, or infection. In particular, increased levels of CRP in the bloodstream have been linked with rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Most recently, a study by Dr. Paul Ridker found that analysis of CRP levels provided a better indication for risk of cardiovascular disease than LDL cholesterol standards.
Detailed Information:
Blood is collected (usually from the arm) using a typical blood sample procedure. Overnight fasting prior to blood extraction is often required. Once the blood is extracted, laboratory technicians test the serum to determine CRP levels. Although CRP will always be present in small amounts, the liver will produce significantly increased levels of CRP as a result of inflammation, infection, or other injury.
In the laboratory, the CRP may be detected in several different ways. In radioimmunoassay, the same method that is used in the ELISA HIV test, radioactive material binds to antibodies in the blood. By measuring the radioactive signal from the now radioactive CRP antibodies, the CRP level can be determined. Agglutination tests the presence of an infectious agent by injecting its corresponding antibody. The presence of the antibody causes the matter to bind together in a mass, or “agglutinate.” The amount of agglutination can be measured in a variety of ways, and corresponds with the levels of CRP in the blood sample.
Last updated: 03-Jun-04
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