CRP

CRP is a major acute phase protein (APP) in canines and forms part of the acute phase response.  Any inflammatory reaction that cannot be contained locally will “spill over” and initiate a systemic response which then initiates hepatic synthesis and release of CRP into circulation.  In diseases that are predominantly inflammatory in nature, integrated measurement of the severity of inflammation may be superior to measurement of organ specific marker enzymes.  The ability to also determine the severity of the disease is helpful in planning the clinical approach to the case and in discussions with owners/clients involving prognosis.

KEY BENEFITS OF C-REACTIVE PROTEIN (CRP) AS “THE SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATORY MARKER” IN DOGS:

Ø  CRP is a specific and objective marker for systemic inflammation.  It can identify systemic inflammation when other indicators may be inconclusive.
E.g. normal body temperature, normal leucogram or in dogs with other leucogram changes associated with corticosteroid therapy.

 Ø  Not affected by anti-inflammatory doses of steroids, NSAID or Opiod therapy.

 Ø  Real time marker – starts after 4hr, peaks at 24hr and clears in 48-72hrs.

 Ø  Large diagnostic window – 10 fold increase in concentration.

                   Normal dogs are well below 10mg/L.

                   Systemic inflammation >35mg/L (advanced systemic inflammation often >100mg/L)

 Ø  An elevated serum value always indicates pathology.

 Ø  Quantitative – use CRP to quantify degree of inflammation, monitor disease burden and progression, post treatment and post-operative effects, monitor recovery and relapse.

For example soft tissue surgery will have a rapid CRP normalization (24-72hr) where orthopaedic and other more invasive surgery will have longer normalization period.

SAMPLE REQUIRED: 1.0ml Serum Separated Tube or Plain Tube

TAT: 12 hours following receipt of the sample at the lab