Acute phase proteins are plasma proteins which increase in concentration following infection, inflammation or trauma. The first acute phase protein to be recognized was discovered in humans by Tillet and Frances in 19301. This C-reactive protein (CRP) is so named because it is able to effect precipitation of somatic C-polysaccharide of Streptococcus pneumonia. CRP is an alpha globulin with a mass of 110,000 to 140,000 daltons, and composed of five identical subunits, which are non-covalently assembled as a cyclic pentamer. It is synthesized in the liver and, in humans, is normally present as a trace constituent of serum at levels less that 0.3 mG/dL. The levels in serum rise quickly following acute tissue damage and can reach levels 1000-fold within 24 to 48 hours and also falls very rapidly once the stimulus is removed. It has been proposed that the function of CRP is to aid in complement activation, influence phagocytic cell function, and augment cell mediated cytotoxicity. Investigations over the past few years have shown that quantification of these in plasma or serum can provide valuable diagnostic information in the detection, prognosis, and monitoring of disease not only in humans, but in companion animals and farm herds as well2.
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