In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers in China conducted a study1 to explore the extent of measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in COVID-19 patients to determine disease severity. The study revealed that COVID-19 patients with the most severe presentation of the disease had higher CRP levels and larger-diameter lung lesions than those with a less severe presentation of the disease. The study concluded that measuring CRP levels in COVID-19 patients may provide an important clinical evaluation index and can reflect disease changes.
CRP is synthesized by the liver and sent to the bloodstream in response to infections, tissue injuries, and inflammatory disorders.2 A study published in 20203 shows that high levels of CRP may signal a serious infection or other disorder. For example, the normal concentration of CRP in the bloodstream is usually less than 10 mg/L. However, it rapidly rises within 6 to 8 hours and peaks at 48 hours from disease onset. When the disease lessens, the concentration of CRP lowers, making it an important biomarker for monitoring disease severity.
Health care providers and researchers have examined the value of testing CRP levels to predict and monitor the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. They have found that CRP testing can help predict the severity of infection among newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients and guide their treatment plan.4 Aided by CRP testing, health care providers can monitor the course of infection and make data-based decisions on when to discharge patients from the hospital and properly triage COVID-19 patients when they enter the hospital (e.g., Intensive Care Unit vs. Isolation Ward). Research also indicates that CRP testing may help health care providers monitor patients with so-called “Long COVID”, referring to signs and symptoms that last for a few weeks or months after having a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.5
The Interim Guidance by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists a CRP test as a “basic diagnostic laboratory test to consider for patients with post-COVID conditions.” It is important to note that the agency also points out in the Interim Guidance that “at this time, no laboratory test can definitively distinguish post-COVID conditions from other etiologies, due to the heterogeneity of post-COVID conditions.”6
Considering the numerous studies that show CRP as a prognostic biomarker to help manage COVID-19 patients, along with the CDC Interim Guidance, SEKISUI Diagnostics felt it necessary to update the healthcare community with information on our highly sensitive, ready-to-use assay for the quantitative measurement of CRP, which allows clinical laboratories to empower health care providers to make more informed decisions when evaluating COVID-19 patients.
The SEKURE® CRP Ultra-Wide Range provides:
- Convenience. A wide linear range of 0.05-160 mg/L allows for low and high sample concentrations.
- Flexibility. Compatibility with several sample types: serum, EDTA plasma, and lithium heparinized plasma.
- Efficiency. Liquid stable, ready-to-use reagent.
For more information visit C-Reactive Protein COVID-19 Biomarker .
References:
- C-reactive protein levels in the early stage of COVID-19
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test
- Elevated level of C‐reactive protein may be an early marker to predict risk for severity of COVID‐19
- The role of C-reactive protein as a prognostic marker in COVID-19
- Inflammatory Markers May Predict Long COVID in Patients With Solid Tumors
- Assessment and Testing| Evaluating and Caring for Patients with Post-COVID Conditions | CDC.
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