[Measurement of C-reactive protein gives valuable information in patients with all types of inflammation].

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a characteristic inflammation marker. In healthy individuals the serum concentration of CRP is less than 10 mg/l. With serious inflammation the serum concentration may increase to more than 1,000 fold. With few exceptions the serum level of CRP increases in all types of inflammations, both infectious and non-infectious. Bacterial infections seem to give the best stimulation to CRP synthesis. Knowledge about the metabolism of CRP after stimulation, the conditions giving increase in the serum concentration of CRP and the conditions which do not, is a prerequisite for evaluation of CRP levels in individual patients. This review discusses knowledge about CRP in general, and the serum level of CRP in different clinical situations.