C-Reactive Protein Levels and its Association with Acute and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases- An Observational Study

Background: C-reactive protein is a nonspecific, acute-phase, inflammatory protein, whose expression is increased in response to tissue injury, inflammation and infection. The highest concentrations of CRP are found in an individual having some bacterial infections where CRP level increase up to 1,000-fold. The present study was undertaken to determine the C-reactive protein levels in clinically suspected OPD and IPD patient by Latex agglutination test (LAT). Material and Methods: Blood samples were collected from clinically suspected OPD and IPD patients with signs of inflammation in plain vacutainer tubes and received in Serology laboratory of Microbiology Department for CRP testing. All blood samples were screened by Qualitative CRP assay by using commercially available kit. Blood samples that were positive were further tested for CRP titre by semi-quantitative test using same kit (Beacon Diagnostics Pvt Ltd ). Results: A total of 450 serum samples were received for CRP testing during a period of six months. Higher CRP levels were obtained in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases (76%) and as compared to patients with acute inflammatory diseases (24%). Conclusion: CRP is an inexpensive and easily available serological test helpful in correlating severity and mortality of any disease. Early CRP testing can be a very helpful tool to improve the clinical outcomes of patients and decreased mortality