C REACTIVE PROTEIN Meaning and
Definition
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C-reactive protein (CRP) is a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation in the body. It is part of the immune system's defense mechanisms and is commonly used as a marker to indicate the presence and severity of inflammation. CRP levels increase rapidly during episodes of inflammation, making it a useful diagnostic tool.
CRP is a type of protein known as an acute-phase reactant. It circulates in the blood in an inactive form, but as soon as tissue damage or inflammation occurs, it binds to foreign substances such as bacteria, damaged cells, or other factors that trigger an immune response. This binding activates the complement system, a cascade of immune reactions that helps to eliminate these harmful agents and clear the infection.
The measurement of CRP levels is commonly performed through a simple blood test. It is often used in clinical practice to evaluate and monitor infections, autoimmune disorders, certain types of cancers, and various chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Elevated CRP levels suggest the presence of inflammation, but it is generally not specific to any particular condition. Hence, it is often used in conjunction with other clinical evaluations and tests to aid in diagnosis and follow-up of patients. In some cases, serial measurement of CRP levels can also be used to monitor the response to treatment or the recurrence of inflammation.
Common Misspellings for C REACTIVE PROTEIN
- x reactive protein
- v reactive protein
- f reactive protein
- d reactive protein
- c eeactive protein
- c deactive protein
- c feactive protein
- c teactive protein
- c 5eactive protein
- c 4eactive protein
- c rwactive protein
- c rsactive protein
- c rdactive protein
- c rractive protein
- c r4active protein
- c r3active protein
- c rezctive protein
- c resctive protein
- c rewctive protein
- c reqctive protein
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