title: Interpretation of C-reactive protein concentrations in critically ill patients.
abstract: Infection is often difficult to recognize in critically ill patients because of the marked coexisting inflammatory process. Lack of early recognition prevents timely resuscitation and effective antimicrobial therapy, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Measurement of a biomarker, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration, in addition to history and physical signs, could facilitate diagnosis. Although frequently measured in clinical practice, few studies have reported on the pathophysiological role of this biomarker and its predictive value in critically ill patients. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiological role of CRP and its potential interpretation in the inflammatory processes observed in critically ill patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, CHU-Charleroi, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 92 Boulevard Janson, 6000 Charleroi, Belgium ; Experimental Medicine Laboratory, CHU-Charleroi, ULB 222 Unit, 6110 Montigny-Le-Tilleul, Belgium.
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lelubre
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Anselin
authors.forename: Karim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zouaoui Boudjeltia
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Biston
authors.forename: Michaël
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piagnerelli
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein