C-reactive protein

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Definition

Noun: A protein produced by the liver and found in blood plasma, whose levels rise significantly in response to inflammation, infection, or tissue injury. It is a key biomarker used in medicine to detect and monitor acute inflammatory conditions.

Usage

C-reactive protein is used as a specific medical term. It is most commonly discussed in clinical and laboratory contexts to assess a patient's health status. * It is typically measured via a blood test. * High levels indicate the presence of an acute inflammatory process in the body. * It is often abbreviated as CRP.

Examples
  • The doctor ordered a test for C-reactive protein to check for possible infection.
  • A high level of C-reactive protein is a nonspecific indicator of inflammation.
  • Monitoring CRP levels helps assess the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory treatment.
Advanced Usage
  • High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP): A more sensitive assay used to measure very low levels of CRP, which can indicate low-grade, chronic inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
    • Example: The hs-CRP test is sometimes used to evaluate a person's risk for future heart attacks.
Variants and Related Words
  • CRP: The standard abbreviation for C-reactive protein.
  • Acute-phase protein: C-reactive protein is classified as an acute-phase protein, a group of proteins whose plasma concentrations increase or decrease in response to inflammation.
Synonyms
  • Inflammatory marker: A broader term for any substance measured to assess inflammation, which includes CRP.
  • Acute-phase reactant: A technical synonym emphasizing its role in the body's acute-phase response to injury or infection.
Notes
  • C-reactive protein is named for its ability to react with the C-polysaccharide of .
  • While elevated CRP signals inflammation, it does not diagnose the specific cause (e.g., whether it is due to infection, autoimmune disease, or injury). Further investigation is always required.
Noun
  1. a byproduct of inflammation; a globulin that is found in the blood in some cases of acute inflammation

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