CRP is a highly sensitive ______.

CRP is a highly sensitive ______.

• A. Negative acute phase reactant
• B. Positive acute phase reactant
• C. Adaptive immune protein
• D. Anticoagulant

Answer: (B)

CRP rises in response to inflammation, produced by the liver under the influence of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6. Because its level increases, it is categorized as a positive acute-phase reactant. Negative acute-phase reactants, such as albumin, fall during inflammation, and adaptive immune proteins are antibodies produced by the adaptive system, not acute-phase reactants. The term “highly sensitive” refers to the assay’s ability to detect small increases in CRP, which is useful for identifying low-grade inflammation and cardiovascular risk.

CRP rises in response to inflammation, produced by the liver under the influence of inflammatory cytokines like IL-6. Because its level increases, it is categorized as a positive acute-phase reactant. Negative acute-phase reactants, such as albumin, fall during inflammation, and adaptive immune proteins are antibodies produced by the adaptive system, not acute-phase reactants. The term “highly sensitive” refers to the assay’s ability to detect small increases in CRP, which is useful for identifying low-grade inflammation and cardiovascular risk.