scholarly journals Analytical Performance of a Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein-Based Immunoassay and the Effects of Laboratory Variables on Levels of Protein in Blood

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 652-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najib Aziz ◽  
John L. Fahey ◽  
Roger Detels ◽  
Anthony W. Butch

ABSTRACT C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant whose levels increase in response to a variety of inflammatory stimuli. Elevated levels in serum are observed after trauma, tissue necrosis, infection, surgery, and myocardial infarction and are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. CRP levels are also elevated in noninflammatory states, such as obesity, sleep disturbances, depression, chronic fatigue, aging, and physical inactivity. In this study, the performance of a highly sensitive CRP enzyme immunoassay was evaluated, along with common laboratory variables (specimen type, processing time, and storage conditions) that may influence measured blood concentrations of CRP. The measurement range of the assay was from 0.4 to 50 μg/liter. Total imprecision (coefficient of variation) ranged from 8.1 to 11.4%. CRP levels obtained with the enzyme immunoassay were highly correlated with those obtained with an automated immunonephelometric assay. Comparable results were obtained for plasma (heparin and EDTA treated) and serum samples, and levels were unaffected by delays in sample processing and storage temperature. CRP levels were also unaffected by up to seven freeze-thaw cycles. The median CRP concentration in healthy adults was determined to be 0.94 mg/liter, with a 95% working reference interval of 0 to 6.9 mg/liter. In view of these data, we recommend that serial serum or plasma samples for CRP should be stored at 4oC for short periods of time or at −70oC for longer periods and tested within the same run to minimize interassay variability.

2008 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Marsik ◽  
Lili Kazemi-Shirazi ◽  
Thomas Schickbauer ◽  
Stefan Winkler ◽  
Christian Joukhadar ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: C-reactive protein (CRP), an acute-phase protein, is a sensitive systemic marker of inflammation and acute-phase reactions. Testing CRP concentrations at hospital admission may provide information about disease risk and overall survival. Methods: All first-ever transmittals to the department of medical and chemical laboratory diagnostics for determination of low-sensitivity CRP (n = 274 515, 44.5% male, median age 51 years) between January 1991 and July 2003 were included [median follow-up time: 4.4 years (interquartile range, 2.3–7.4 years)]. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Multivariate Cox regression adjusted for sex and age was applied for analysis. Results: Compared to individuals within the reference category (CRP <5 mg/L), hazard ratios (HR) for all-cause mortality increased from 1.4 (5–10 mg/L category) to 3.3 in the highest category (>80 mg/L, all P <0.001). CRP was associated with various causes of death. The relation of CRP to cancer death was stronger than to vascular death. Younger patients with increased CRP had relatively far worse outcome than older patients (maximal HR: ≤30 years: 6.7 vs >60 years: 1.7–3.7). Interestingly, both short- and long-term mortality were associated with increasing CRP concentrations (>80 mg/L: HR 22.8 vs 1.4). Conclusion: Measurement of low-sensitivity CRP at hospital admission allowed for the identification of patients at increased risk of unfavorable outcome. Our findings indicate that close attention should be paid to hospitalized patients with high CRP not only because of very substantial short-term risk, but also long-term excess risk, the basis for which needs to be determined.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-59
Author(s):  
Sotirios Kakavas ◽  
◽  
Aggeliki Papanikolaou ◽  
Evangelos Balis ◽  
Evgenios Metaxas ◽  
...  

Our aim was to prospectively assess the prognostic value of beta2- microglobulin (b2-M) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We conducted a prospective study of 109 patients admitted in a pulmonary clinic due to acute PE. A panel of inflammatory markers including b2-M white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined for each patient. In this preliminary study, baseline b2-M levels significantly correlated with the impairment of oxygenation and with all the parameters that are used for the early risk stratification of patients. In multivariate analysis, patients’ age and baseline b2-M levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of death. These findings require further prospective validation.


Cardiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Gao ◽  
Yan Qiu ◽  
Jihua Wu ◽  
Wei Diao ◽  
Haibo Zhang ◽  
...  

Background: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a promising target for lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular (CV) disease. Whether plasma PCSK9 measured during the acute phase predicts recurrent CV events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unresolved. Methods and Results: Plasma PCSK9 levels were measured in 1,646 patients with AMI from the China PEACE-Prospective AMI Study at the acute phase. Additionally, 248 patients were resampled and measured at 1 month post-AMI. Associations of acute-phase PCSK9 tertiles with clinical characteristics and recurrent CV events within 1 year were assessed. Female gender (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.24–3.03), premature coronary heart disease (CHD; OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.37–3.26), higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.44–1.95), and higher triglycerides (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03–2.09) were associated with higher baseline PCSK9. Plasma PCSK9 levels in the highest tertile (versus lowest) did not have an increased risk of 1-year recurrent CV events in the AMI cohort (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.52–1.16) or any subgroup. There was also no association between percentage changes in PCSK9 over the first month and 1-year recurrent events, although there was a trend of differences between patients in the upper versus lower tertiles. Conclusion: Plasma PCSK9 levels measured during the acute phase were associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, triglycerides, premature CHD, and gender in patients with AMI but did not predict recurrent CV events within 1 year. Dynamic changes in PCSK9 suggested a trend yet no significance value in predicting recurrent CV events.


2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (4) ◽  
pp. 510-517
Author(s):  
E V Khazova ◽  
O V Bulashova

The discussion continues about the role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases of ischemic etiology. This article reviews the information on the role of C-reactive protein in patients with atherosclerosis and heart failure in risk stratification for adverse cardiovascular events, including assessment of factors affecting the basal level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein. Research data (MRFIT, MONICA) have demonstrated a relationship between an increased level of C-reactive protein and the development of coronary heart disease. An increase in the serum level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein is observed in arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance, which indicates the involvement of systemic inflammation in these disorders. Currently, the assessment of highly sensitive C-reactive protein is used to determine the risk of developing myocardial infarction and stroke. It has been proven that heart failure patients have a high level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein compared with patients without heart failure. The level of C-reactive protein is referred to as modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases of ischemic origin, since lifestyle changes or taking drugs such as statins, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, etc. reduce the level of highly sensitive C-reactive protein. In patients with heart failure with different left ventricular ejection fraction values, it was found that the regression of the inflammatory response is accompanied by an improvement in prognosis, which confirms the hypothesis of inflammation as a response to stress, which has negative consequences for the cardiovascular system.


2009 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 739-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Davood Attaran ◽  
Shahrzad M Lari ◽  
Mohammad Khajehdaluee ◽  
Hossein Ayatollahi ◽  
Mohammad Towhidi ◽  
...  

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that can cause serious pulmonary complications. This study was designed to determine serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and evaluate its correlation with lung function parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to SM poisoning. Methods: Fifty consecutive SM patients with stable COPD and a mean age 46.3 ± 9.18 years were enrolled in this cross sectional study. Thirty healthy men were selected as controls. Lung function parameters were evaluated. Serum hs-CRP by immunoturbidometry assay was measured in both the patients and controls. Results: In the case group, the mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was 2.14 ± 0.76 L (58.98% ± 17.51% predicted). The mean serum hs-CRP was 9.4 ± 6.78 SD and 3.9 ± 1.92 SD mg/L in the cases and controls, respectively, with significant statistical differences (p < .001). There was negative correlation between the serum hs-CRP and FEV1 levels (p = .01). The serum hs-CRP levels were also correlated with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung disease (GOLD) stages (r = .45, p < .001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the serum hs-CRP level is increased in SM patients with COPD and may have a direct correlation with disease severity. It may then be used as a marker for the severity of COPD in patients with SM poisoning.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina M Parrinello ◽  
Pamela L Lutsey ◽  
Christie M Ballantyne ◽  
Aaron R Folsom ◽  
James S Pankow ◽  
...  

Background: High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and mortality. It is unclear whether changes in CRP or persistently high CRP are associated with these outcomes beyond the baseline measure. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of 10,229 participants from the ARIC Study with two measurements of CRP six years apart (at visits 2 and 4, 1990-92 and 1996-98, respectively). CRP was categorized into two groups using a standard cut-point for defining high levels (≥3 vs. <3 mg/L). Six-year change in CRP was categorized as: persistently not high (<3 mg/L), decreasing (≥3 to <3 mg/L), increasing (<3 to ≥3 mg/L), and persistently high (≥3 mg/L). Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between visit 2 CRP, visit 4 CRP and six-year change in CRP and each of the following outcomes from visit 4 through 2010: diabetes, coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, heart failure and all-cause mortality. Models were adjusted for traditional risk factors at visit 2. Sensitivity analyses additionally adjusted for visit 4 covariates. Results: Persons with CRP ≥3 mg/L at visit 2 or 4 had higher risk of each outcome compared to those with CRP <3 mg/L ( Table ). We observed higher risk of all outcomes in persons with persistently high CRP, and of all outcomes except stroke in persons with increasing CRP, compared to those with CRP <3 mg/L at both visits ( Table ). Persons whose CRP decreased from high to <3 mg/L did not have significantly increased risk of cardiovascular outcomes or diabetes compared to those with CRP persistently <3 mg/L. Results were similar after adjusting for visit 4 covariates. Conclusions: Persons with sustained high levels of CRP or whose CRP increased to high levels had higher risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and death, while those whose levels decreased from high to moderate or low were at lower risk. Multiple measures of CRP may better characterize inflammatory status and provide more comprehensive information regarding long-term risk.


2021 ◽  
pp. 239719832110406
Author(s):  
Mayank Jha ◽  
Mianbo Wang ◽  
Russell Steele ◽  
Murray Baron ◽  
Marvin J Fritzler ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the independent value of N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, and C-reactive protein to predict onset of cardiopulmonary disease in a large, multi-center systemic sclerosis cohort followed prospectively. Methods: Subjects from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group registry with data on N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, and C-reactive protein were identified. Outcomes of interest were death, systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction < 50% or medications for heart failure), pulmonary arterial hypertension by right heart catheterization, pulmonary hypertension by cardiac echocardiography (systolic pulmonary artery pressures ⩾ 45 mmHg), arrhythmias (pacemaker/implantable cardiac defibrillator or anti-arrhythmic medications), and interstitial lung disease. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were generated for each outcome. Results: A total of 675 subjects were included with a mean follow-up of 3.0 ± 1.8 years. Subjects were predominantly women (88.4%) with mean age of 58.2 ± 11.3 years and mean disease duration of 13.7 ± 9.1 years. One hundred and one (101, 15%) subjects died during follow-up, 37 (6.4 %) developed systolic dysfunction, 18 (2.9%) arrhythmias, 34 (5.1%) pulmonary arterial hypertension, 43 (7.3%) pulmonary hypertension, and 48 (12.3%) interstitial lung disease. In multivariate analyses, elevated levels of N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, and C-reactive protein were associated with increased risk of death, while elevated levels of N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide and C-reactive protein were associated with increased risk of developing pulmonary hypertension. Conclusion: In systemic sclerosis, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, and C-reactive protein have independent predictive value for death and pulmonary hypertension. A larger study would be required to determine the predictive value of these biomarkers for less common systemic sclerosis outcomes.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Lee ◽  
Fereshteh Hajsadeghi ◽  
Jessica Ramirez ◽  
Behnaz Sarlak ◽  
Ambarish gopal ◽  
...  

Background: Elevation in the ratio of triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) has been suggested as a marker of insulin resistance (IR), conferring an increased risk of atherosclerosis in these patients. The association between TG/HDL-C and coronary artery calcification (CAC) measured by computed tomography has yet to be established. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between IR, as determined by TG/HDL-C ≥ 3.5, and significant CAC (absolute score ≥ 100). Methods: Fasting lipid levels, homocysteine, C reactive protein and lipoprotein (a) levels of 336 asymptomatic individuals, who also underwent electron beam tomography (EBT), were measured. Results: The mean age of participants was 55 ±10 years. 71.7% were male. 37.4% had hypertension, 52.5% had hypercholesterolemia, 12.4% had diabetes mellitus (DM) and 52.5% had family history of premature CHD. Individuals with IR had higher significant CAC (≥100) than those without IR (70% vs. 27%, P=0.0001). After adjustment for age, gender, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and DM, multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that individuals with IR had more significant CAC (odds ratio 2.1, 95% CI=1.1–3.9, p=0.01). Further sub-analysis revealed that individuals with IR had significantly higher lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) than those without IR (odds ratio 1.31, 95% CI=1.09-.16, p=0.03). No significant differences in C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine were found between the two groups. Conclusion: Insulin resistance, as measured by TG/HDL-C ≥ 3.5, was associated with a significantly higher incidence of accelerated atherosclerosis on EBT (absolute CAC score ≥ 100), independent of age, gender and conventional risk factors. IR was also significantly associated with elevated levels of Lp(a). Further studies regarding the clinical significance of insulin resistance and elevated CAC score, as well as its association with Lp(a), may be warranted.


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