C-Reactive Protein (CORE) Urgent, Plasma

Diagnostic Use

CRP is a hepatic protein produced as part of the acute inflammatory response.

Plasma CRP levels are as a non-specific biomarker for inflammation.

A second use for CRP is as a cardiovascular risk biomarker. See high sensitivity CRP for more information.

Department

Core Biochemistry

Delphic Registration Code

UCRP

Constituent Tests

• C-Reactive Protein (High Sensitivity)

Synonyms

CRP, plasma

Turnaround Time

3 hours

Test Code

3206

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

4.5

No of Samples Required

1

Paediatric Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)

Acceptable

• Serum (Red Cap)
• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.6

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.1

Transport to Lab

Ambient (8 - 24 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

An elevated CRP indicates the presence of inflammation but is not specific for the site, type or source of inflammation.  Causes of an elevated CRP include infection, malignancy, trauma and post-surgery.

CRP may be monitored in a patient with an inflammatory condition to assess response to treatment.  Because of its longer half-life (approx. 19 hours) CRP generally starts to decrease after the WBC count has started to decrease.

Caution is advised when interpreting CRP levels in a patient with chronic liver disease.  Because CRP is synthesised by hepatocytes, CRP levels in patients with cirrhosis may be misleadingly low.

Reference Intervals

<5 mg/L

Test Method

Immunoturbidimetric method on Beckman Coulter AU5822 analyser using Beckman Coulter reagents.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$10.86 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

3206

Contact Information

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