C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein is one of the circulating blood proteins that help the host defense system begin immune defense by phagocytosis performed my macrophage. Its opsonization of target cells is much less precise than from immunoglobulin generated by B-lympocytes for T8 lymphocytes. When activated, it binds, with the antigen, to a surface receptor on macrophages and [[opsonins|opsonize the threatening cells.

Diagnostic use

Along with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, when laboratory results are elevated, the clinician has warning an an acute inflammatory disorder exists.

Elevation above the patient's baseline in to the accuracy of the predictive power of lipid meassurements in apparently health people. They are also predictive of peripheral vacular disease, supporting the theory that chronic inflammation precedes atherosclerosis. The test needs more standardization amon laboratories befor in can be recommended routinely. There is early evidence exists that risk factor modification, particularly the use of aspirin and the ]]hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors]] (i.e., statins, may reduce plaque inflammation. C-reactive protein is a more reliable marker of inlammatory disease than is the electrolyte sedimentation rate in a vasculitis such as giant cell arteritis, also called temporal arteritis; cranial arteritis; or Horton's disease or Microscopic polyangiitis

The presence, in high-sensitivity CRP analysis, shows a predisposition to atherosclerotic blood vessel disease.