A PERSPECTIVE ON HIGH SENSITIVITY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (hs-CRP)

Jitender P S Dhillon*, Rahul Mishr (MSc MLT Intern), Rajesh Pandey (Professor), Kuldip Singh Sodhi (Prof), Jasbir Singh (Prof).

ABSTRACT

C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute phase reactant synthesized mainly by the liver, belongs to the pentraxin family of proteins. It helps in immune regulation by assisting in the recognition of damaged host cells and foreign pathogens, and their removal. Immunoassays for CRP with greater sensitivity (hence called high sensitivity CRP or hs-CRP) than those previously in routine use, have revealed that increased CRP values, even within the range previously considered normal, strongly predict future coronary events besides indicating a link with a host of other communicable and non-communicable diseases. Compelling data exists to suggest that plasma hs-CRP should be included in the routine laboratory tests for risk evaluation and stratification in diverse clinical conditions.

Keywords: C-reactive protein, hs-CRP, acute-phase reactant, disease, risk.