Elevated Serum C-Reactive Protein Levels and Advanced Atherosclerosis in Youth

Introduction: Elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) can be a marker of disease activity involving inflammation, such as pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Systemically high levels of CRP in women, including during pregnancy, may indicate higher risk for CVD. It is unknown if CRP measured during the pro-inflammatory state of pregnancy correlates with concentrations assessed 7-13 years after delivery. Hypothesis: Concentrations of CRP assessed during pregnancy will be related to CRP measured several years after pregnancy, independent of weight gain. Methods: We studied the first 252 women enrolled in the follow-up of the Pregnancy Outcomes and Community Health Study (POUCHmoms 2011-2013) with complete CRP data for the pregnancy (mean gestational age: 22.36 [2.22] weeks) and POUCHmoms visits (mean follow-up: 10.76 [1.38] years). The relative risk for high hsCRP (≥ 3.39 μg/ml) at the follow-up visit, related to quartiles of CRP during pregnancy, was examined using stepwise regression models. Results: Median (IQR) levels of pregnancy CRP and hsCRP at the follow-up visit were 5.68 [3.08, 9.76] and 3.39 [0.69, 9.73] μg/ml, respectively. Although absolute values of hsCRP at follow-up were generally lower than pregnancy CRP, 56% of women in the top and bottom quartiles of pregnancy CRP (71 of 126) were in the same quartile for hsCRP at follow-up (figure). The relative risk of having high hsCRP (≥ 3.39 μg/ml) at follow-up ranged from 2.7-5.2 for the 2 nd - 4 th quartiles of pregnancy CRP (vs. the 1st quartile). Controlling for pre-pregnancy BMI and follow-up weight change, the relative risk of having high hsCRP at follow-up was significantly higher for the 2 nd (1.15 [1.02-1.30]),3 rd (1.19 [1.05-1.35), and 4 th (1.22 [1.05-1.41]) quartiles of pregnancy CRP. Conclusions: Pregnancy CRP levels are related to hsCRP levels several years later in this cohort of women, even after adjusting for pre-pregnancy BMI and follow-up weight change. CRP assessed in pregnancy may reflect inflammatory status later in life.

Download Full-text

Escherichia coli Panophthalmitis after Pecking by a Great Egret (Ardea alba)

Case Reports in Ophthalmology ◽

10.1159/000509340 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 466-472

Author(s):

Takashi Ono ◽

Kentaro Abe ◽

Yosai Mori ◽

Ryohei Nejima ◽

Takuya Iwasaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Elevated Serum ◽

Ocular Infection ◽

Ocular Injury ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Upper Eyelid ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Cell Counts ◽

Open Globe ◽

The Right

We report a case of open globe injury caused by Ardea albapecking that resulted in Escherichia colipanophthalmitis. A woman in her 70s complaining of ocular pain was referred to our hospital because her right eye had been pecked by an A. alba2 days earlier. Visual acuity in her right eye was reduced to light sensation. The right conjunctiva became hyperemic and edematous with swelling of the right upper eyelid. The upper side of the right cornea was densely cloudy with focal defect. Ultrasonography showed a thick sclera and choroid-like structure. Pathological investigation of a scraped sample from the infected site revealed gram-negative rods; E. coli was isolated. She had fever with elevated serum C-reactive protein levels and leukocytosis confirmed by laboratory examination. Topical levofloxacin and cefmenoxime and intravenous fosfomycin and aspoxicillin were initiated, but the right cornea melted near the perforated site with leakage of the eyeball contents on the next day. We decided to perform eye evisceration because of difficulty in controlling corneal melting and panophthalmitis. Her general state recovered the day after surgery. Orbital cellulitis improved gradually with normal C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell counts. As ocular injury caused by birds could become severe and cause ocular infection and visual dysfunction, it is important to exercise caution in the vicinity of wild birds, especially when they are aggressive.

Download Full-text

Euploid miscarriage is associated with elevated serum C-reactive protein levels in infertile women: a pilot study

Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics ◽

10.1007/s00404-020-05461-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 301 (3) ◽

pp. 831-836

Author(s):

Andrea Weghofer ◽

David H. Barad ◽

Sarah K. Darmon ◽

Vitaly A. Kushnir ◽

David F. Albertini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Infertile Women ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Reactive Protein

Download Full-text

Elevated serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in fibromyalgia syndrome patients correlate with body mass index, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, erythrocyte sedimentation rate

Rheumatology International ◽

10.1007/s00296-012-2538-6 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 1259-1264 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Yangming Xiao ◽

Wanda L. Haynes ◽

Joel E. Michalek ◽

I. Jon Russell

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Sedimentation Rate ◽

Interleukin 6 ◽

Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Erythrocyte Sedimentation

Download Full-text

Elevated Serum C-Reactive Protein Levels Predict Cardiovascular Events in the Japanese Coronary Artery Disease (JCAD) Study

Circulation Journal ◽

10.1253/circj.cj-08-0295 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 78-85 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Kenei Shimada ◽

Masatoshi Fujita ◽

Atsushi Tanaka ◽

Ken Yoshida ◽

Satoshi Jisso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Cardiovascular Events ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Artery Disease

Download Full-text

The Prevalence of Elevated Serum C-Reactive Protein Levels in Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Thyroid Disease

Thyroid ◽

10.1089/105072503322239989 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 643-648 ◽

Cited By ~ 50

Author(s):

Elizabeth N. Pearce ◽

Fausto Bogazzi ◽

Enio Martino ◽

Sandra Brogioni ◽

Enia Pardini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Disease ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Reactive Protein

Download Full-text

Temporal clinical and laboratory response to interleukin-6 receptor blockade with Tocilizumab in 89 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

10.1101/2020.06.12.20122374 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Daria S. Fomina ◽

Mar’yana A. Lysenko ◽

Irina P. Beloglazova ◽

Zinaida Yu. Mutovina ◽

Nataliya G. Poteshkina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Ventilation ◽

Interleukin 6 ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Rapid Improvement ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Interleukin 6 Receptor ◽

Post Infusion ◽

Clinical Indices

AbstractBackgroundEmerging evidence links morbidity and mortality of pandemic COVID-19 pneumonia to an inflammatory cytokine storm.MethodsEighty nine patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and heightened systemic inflammation (elevated serum C reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels) were treated with Tocilizumab (TCZ), a human monoclonal IgG1 antibody to the interleukin-6 receptor.ResultsClinical and laboratory improvement was seen comparing baseline and 1-2 day post-infusion indices. Among 72 patients not receiving mechanical ventilation, NEWS2 scores fell from 5 to 2 (p < 0.001) C reactive protein levels fell from 95 to 14 mg/L (p < 0.001) and lymphocyte counts rose from 900 to 1000/uL (p = 0.036). Sixty three of 72 patients were discharged from hospital, one patient died, and 8 remained in hospital at time of writing. Among 17 patients receiving mechanical ventilation, despite a rapid decrease in CRP levels from 89 to 35 mg/L (p = 0.014) and early improvements in NEWS2 scores in 10 of 17, ten patients died and seven remain in hospital at time of writing. Overall, mortality was only seen in patients who had markedly elevated CRP levels (>30 mg/L) and low lymphocyte counts (< 1000/uL) before TCZ administration.ConclusionsInflammation and lymphocytopenia are linked to mortality in COVID-19. Inhibition of IL-6 activity by administration of Tocilizumab, an anti IL-6 receptor antibody is associated with rapid improvement in both CRP and lymphocyte counts and in clinical indices. Controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the utility of IL-6 blockade in this setting. Additional interventions will be needed for patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Download Full-text

Association of Serum Malondialdehyde and C-reactive protein Levels with Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573398x18666220104143532 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

Author(s):

Amir Behnam Kharazmi ◽

Atefeh Abedini ◽

Arda Kiani ◽

Shahriar Barouti ◽

Shooka Mohammadi

Keyword(s):

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Pulmonary Disease ◽

Elevated Serum ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Prognostic Indicators ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Reactive Protein

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is related to oxidant/antioxidant imbalance and systemic inflammation Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate associations of serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) with the severity and exacerbations of COPD. Methods: A matched case-control study was performed among 200 COPD patients (100 cases and 100 controls) who were referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Cases were exacerbators with equal to or greater than two ambulatory exacerbations or one hospitalization; controls were non-exacerbators who had one/no ambulatory exacerbation during the preceding 12 months. Blood samples were collected for CRP, MDA, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) analysis. In addition, spirometry, the COPD assessment test (CAT) score, the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale, and the BODEx index were applied. Results: The mean (SD) age of the patients was 65.31 (8.46) years. Those with exacerbations had significantly lower FEV1 and higher CRP, MDA, ESR, BMI, BODEx index, CAT, and mMRC scores compared to non-exacerbators. There were significant differences in CRP, MDA, ESR, FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, BMI, BODEx index, mMRC, and CAT scores between the GOLD group. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that higher levels of CRP (OR=0.61, p=0.023), MDA (OR=0.28, p=0.001), ESR (OR=0.86, p=0.029), CAT score (OR=0.84, p=0.012), BODEx index (OR=0.89, p <0.001), BMI (OR=0.42, p <0.001), and lower FEV1% (OR=0.77, p <0.001) were independent risk factors for frequent exacerbations. Conclusion: In conclusion, elevated serum MDA and CRP levels in combination may serve as prognostic indicators of the severity and exacerbation of COPD.

Download Full-text