🧪 𝐂𝐑𝐏 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 (𝐂-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭)

CRP is a blood test used to measure the level of C-Reactive Protein, an acute phase protein produced by the liver during inflammation.

🔹 What is CRP?

CRP is a protein that increases rapidly in the blood when there is infection, inflammation, or tissue injury in the body.

🔹 Clinical Use :

Doctors usually advise CRP test when a patient has signs of infection, fever, autoimmune disease, or inflammatory conditions.

It is also used to monitor treatment response and disease activity.

🔹 Sample Required:

🩸 Serum

🔹 Principle :

CRP in the patient’s serum reacts with specific antibodies.

This antigen-antibody reaction forms visible agglutination or is measured by immunoturbidimetry.

The turbidity/intensity produced is proportional to the CRP level.

🔹 Normal Value:

• < 6 mg/L

(May vary slightly depending on laboratory method)

🔹 Increased CRP Levels seen in:

• Bacterial infections

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Systemic lupus erythematosus

• Acute inflammation

• Tissue injury / trauma

• Myocardial infarction

🔹 Clinical Importance :

CRP is a non-specific marker of inflammation, but it is very useful for detecting acute infections and monitoring inflammatory diseases.

📌 CRP rises quickly and also decreases quickly after recovery.