What is the definition of the c-reactive protein

C-reactive protein( CRP) is a protein substance, a glycoprotein that is in the blood plasma and refers to acute phase indications indicating an inflammatory process in the body. In fact, its finding with the help of certain techniques, in practical medicine is an indicator of inflammation, necrosis or trauma, as it is detected faster than an increase in ESR.

Its appearance in the blood plays a protective role, since it has the ability to bind a streptococcal bacterial polysaccharide, which is an early reaction of the body to the introduction of infection.

C-reactive protein belongs to its family of pentraxines in its biochemical structure, for which a characteristic feature is the reaction to acute immunological processes, but only CRP is considered to be the main component linking the adaptive and innate links of immunity. Its task in the body is the determination of microorganisms and the participation in their absorption by phagocytes, in the interaction of T and B lymphocytes.

The synthesis of this protein, which takes place in hepatocytes, is initiated by the introduction of pathogenic flora, fungus, parasites into the body, the appearance of tissue damage in trauma. During the abatement of the severity of the process, the indices of this protein decrease to normal numbers, and again increase with the next exacerbation. The process of its increase in the postoperative period in the absence of attachment of infection quickly comes to normal and sharply increases with suppuration wound processes.

When is it necessary to determine CRP?

What does c-reactive protein mean if it is found in the blood? Diagnostic use of this protein helps identify the following abnormalities in the body:

1. of infectious processes of any origin;
2. autoimmune diseases;
3. check the patient's condition after the operation;
4. dynamics of the course of certain diseases;
5. assessment of the risk of vascular pathology.

Synthesis of this protein is performed in the liver, and under condition of absence of inflammatory reaction its norm in blood is 0.5 μg / ml. From the age of a person, this indicator does not depend.

When can a c-reactive protein increase?

In the event of acute infection, the c-reactive protein in the blood will be raised only after 6 hours, but after two days its concentration may increase 100-fold.

This substance is considered to be a nonspecific marker of inflammatory phenomena, since its significant deviation from the norm is observed in any processes that occur in the body, including oncopathology and necrosis.

But it is especially telling when c-reactive protein is elevated in bacterial infections.

This phenomenon can also occur with the following pathological conditions:

• acute myocardial infarction;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases( associated with immunity);
• trauma, burns, surgery;
• pathological changes of the heart muscle under the influence of infectious processes;
• rheumatoid arthritis;
• acute form of pancreatitis, including with the development of pancreatic necrosis;
• oncology and metastases;
• diabetes;
• a violation of the hormonal background in women;
• hypertension;
• active rheumatic joint disease.

Sometimes an increase in the c-reactive protein may accompany some conditions not associated with pathological abnormalities. This - intense physical activity, pregnancy, treatment with hormonal replacement drugs.

C-reactive protein in the blood can be reduced by using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, glucocorticoids, and statin therapy during treatment.

The importance of determining this indicator is also that its change can occur in people with normal cholesterol indices and complete absence of clinical manifestations, but at the same time indicate a high probability of developing hypertension, stroke or a heart attack and other diseases that lead to a suddenof death.

The use of drugs that reduce cholesterol and normalize rheological blood counts, as well as regular exercise, normal nutrition, reduce the amount of c-reactive protein, and therefore contribute to reducing the likelihood of vascular pathology.

What is the purpose of this study?

Determination of c-reactive protein in blood helps to assess the risk of developing cardiac and vascular pathology, in conjunction with other research methods. These data allow assessing the likelihood of developing a variety of complications in people who have suffered a recent heart attack or stroke.

Some experts use the values ​​of the indicator to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and the dynamics of recovery. So, in the appointment of antibacterial therapy, increased or increasing over time the indices of this protein, suggests its inefficiency and the need for an urgent review of the type and mode of administration of the drug.

The c-reactive protein is also being studied for differential diagnosis of viral infection and bacterial infection. In case of viral infection, its numbers increase slightly or do not differ from the norm.

The increase in this index in newborns to 12 mg / l, indicates the development of sepsis, and requires the adoption of urgent measures.

During an infarction, after 18-36 hours there is an increase in CRP, then by about 20 days it decreases slightly, and after a month or 40 days it becomes normal. With relapses of MI, high c-reactive protein is again detected, stenocardic attacks do not provoke its increase, which serves as an additional sign for differential diagnosis.

After severe trauma, burn tissue damage, septic complication, CRP can rise to incredibly high figures - 300 g / l or more. The success of treatment is determined by its decrease to normal values ​​on the 6-10 days after the initiation of therapy.

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