C-reactive protein

Protein synthesized in the liver (acute phase protein; see below acute phase reaction). molecular weight of approx. 105 kDa), which is increasingly expressed as a general, non-specific response to pathological processes in the body.

The CRP has a half-life of 20-30 hours.

The C-reactive protein appears to influence the immune system in several ways, including complement activation, acceleration of phagocytosis, inhibition of platelet aggregation, T-lymphocyte stimulation, and release of lymphokines.

Within 4 to 8 hours after an acute event, CRP rises above normal levels. The CRP is particularly elevated in the case of inflammation (especially in bacterial infections, less pronounced in viral infections, also depending on the different diagnoses of rheumatic and immunologically caused inflammation).

Standard values:

• CRP normal: < 0,5 mg/dl
• CRP moderately increased: 1-5 mg/dl
• CRP significantly increased: 5-10 mg/dl
• CRP excessively increased: > 10 mg/dl.

Pathologically increased: acute pancreatitis, infections, rheumatic diseases, malignant tumours, necrosis and tissue damage

An elevated CRP is almost always associated with pathological changes and is therefore of great importance in diagnosis, follow-up and therapy control. The determination of CRP is largely independent of factors that influence the blood sedimentation rate and leukocyte count.

The transport protein"transthyretin" is known as the anti-acute phase protein.