C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is a protein involve in the acute phase response of the immune response. Consequentl, serum levels of CRP increase rapidly after tissue injury, infection or other inflammatory processes.
CRP is produced by the liver and is normally present at very low levels. Immediately following acute trauma or infection, CRP is produced by liver cells in response to cytokines. This acute inflammation-dependent response can lead to a 1000-fold or greater increase in serum CRP levels.
Serum concentrations of CRP increase rapidly after stimulation and then decrease rapidly with a short half-life. Determination of serum CRP aids in the monitoring of the amount of injury to body tissue.
Quantitative measurement of CRP in serum has been found to be useful in the evaluation of a variety of conditions such as, myocardial infarction, bacterial infection, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, acute appendicitis, and atherosclerosis. Additionally, CRP levels have recently been found to be a predictive factor for cardiovascular events and peripheral vascular disease. The normal CRP level is less than 1.0 mg/L.