C-reactive protein

(CRP)
 C-reactive protein (CRP)

is a blood test marker for inflammation in the

body.
CRPis produced in the liver and its level is
measured by testing the blood.
CRP is classified as an acute phase reactant,
which means that its levels will rise in response
to inflammation.
• Measures of CRP add to the diagnostic
procedure in selected cases (e-g. in the
differentiation between a bacterial and a viral
infection).
• An extremely elevated CRP is suggestive of a
possible bacterial infection.
• The CRP level may be useful also for
monitoring the effect of treatment and for
early detection of postoperative complications
or intercurrent infections.
 Tests for CRP

• Rapid latex agglutinationtest

• Principle:
– The test is based on the reaction between patient
serum containing CRP as the antigen & the
corresponding antibody coated to the treated
surface of latex particle. The coated particles
enhance the detection of an agglutinate reaction
when antigen is present in the serum being
tested.
 Tests for CRP

• Specimen- Serum Quality control

Include positive & negative

• Reagent & materialsrequired

control serum.

– CRPlatex reagent
– Glycine – saline buffer
– Capillary pipette
– Applicator sticks
– Glass slide
– Serologic pipettes & rubber bulb
 PROCEDURE
A.Qualitative Test:
• Bring reagents and specimens to room
 temperature beforeuse.
 Place one drop (40 μl) of CRPPositive Control on field #1 of the
reaction slide. Place one drop (40 μl) of the CRPNegative Control on
field#2.

• Using a serological pipette place (40μl) of

undiluted test sample to field #3.
 PROCEDURE
A.Qualitative Test:
•Gently resuspend the CRP Latex Reagent
and add one drop to each test field.
• Mix well with the provided stirring sticks.
•Rotate the slide for 2 minutes read
and immediately under an oblique
indirect light.
 INTERPRETATION

A.Qualitative Test:
• A negative reaction is indicated by a uniform
milky suspension with no agglutination as
observed with the CRPNegativeControl.
• A positive reaction is indicated by any
observable agglutination in the reaction
mixture. The specimen reaction should be
compared to the CRPNegative Control
 INTERFERENCES

NON INTERFERINGSUBSTANCES:
• Hemoglobin (10g/dl)
• Bilirubin(20mg/dl)
• Lipemia(10g/dl)
 NOTE

• High CRPconcentration samples may give negative

results .Re – test the sample again using a drop of
20μl .
• The strength of agglutination is not indicativeof
the CRPconcentration in the samplestested.
• Clinical diagnosis should not be made on findings
of a single test result, but should integrate both
clinical an laboratory data.
 LIMITATIONS

• Reaction time is critical. If reaction time

exceeds two minutes, drying of the reaction
mixture may cause false positive results.
• Freezing the CRP Latex Reagent will result in
spontaneous agglutination. phenomenon
(antigen excess).
• It is recommended, therefore, to check all
negative sera by retesting at a 1:10 dilution
with Saline Solution.