Refresher Course: C-Reactive Protein test

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C-reactive protein is a test that measures the concentration of a

protein in blood serum that indicates acute inflammation.

C-reactive protein is a special type of protein produced by the liver

that is only present during episodes of acute inflammation.

C-reactive protein is a sensitive marker of inflammation, the process

whereby the body responds to injury. The most important role of CRP is

its interaction with the complement system, which is one of the body's

immunologic defense mechanisms.

While this is not a specific test for lupus, it does give a general

indication of acute inflammation. Your health care provider might use

this test to check for rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever

exacerbations, lupus flares, or heart problems. The test might also be

useful to monitor response to therapy.

Normally there is no CRP in the blood serum.

What abnormal results mean:

Since the CRP is a general test, a positive CRP may indicate any of a

number of things:

* Rheumatoid arthritis

* Rheumatic fever

* Cancer

* Tuberculosis

* Pneumococcal pneumonia

* Myocardial infarction (Heart attack)

* SLE (Lupus)

Positive CRP results also occur during the last half of pregnancy or

with the use of oral contraceptives.