Inflammation Marker

CRP Test Kit (C-Reactive Protein) is a quantitative or semi-quantitative immunoassay (latex agglutination, turbidimetry, nephelometry, ELISA, or rapid immunochromatographic) for detecting C-reactive protein in blood, an acute-phase reactant produced in response to inflammation. Rapid rise within 6-12 hours, peaks at 24-48 hours, half-life 19 hours. Normal <5-10 mg/L; mild elevation 10-100 mg/L (viral infections, autoimmune flares); moderate 100-200 mg/L (bacterial infections); marked >200 mg/L (sepsis, major trauma). High-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) detects 0.1-10 mg/L for cardiovascular risk stratification (<1 mg/L low risk, 1-3 mg/L moderate, >3 mg/L high). Primary clinical applications include detection and monitoring of inflammation, diagnosis and management of infections (differentiating bacterial from viral), assessment of autoimmune disease activity, post-surgical monitoring for complications, cardiovascular risk screening (hs-CRP), monitoring rheumatic fever and inflammatory conditions, and neonatal sepsis evaluation. Critical safety precautions include proper sample handling (universal precautions), quality control verification, awareness of non-specific elevation, prozone phenomenon in very high concentrations, and clinical correlation for interpretation. Essential test for evaluating inflammation across all medical specialties.