C-reactive protein

[ see-ree-ak-tiv ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a globulin that increases in concentration in the bloodstream during infectious states and other abnormal conditions. : CRP

C-reactive protein

/ sē′rē-ăk′tĭv /

1. An antibody found in the blood in certain acute and chronic conditions including infections and cancers. It is a nonspecific indicator of inflammation and therefore not diagnostic of any one disease.

Word History and Origins

Origin of C-reactive protein¹

First recorded in 1955–60; for C-polysaccharide, which is precipitated by this protein

Example Sentences

C-reactive protein or CRP: This blood test looks for elevated levels of C-reactive protein, which go up with inflammation.

From Washington Post

The results demonstrated improvements in many variables related to cardio-metabolic health, such as blood cholesterol, blood pressure, insulin and C-reactive protein — a protein that increases in response to inflammation.

From Salon

A: CRP stands for C-reactive protein, a biomarker for inflammation in the body.

From Seattle Times

A review of 151 studies of caregivers’ health found changes in biological markers of stress, including higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol and C-reactive protein, a marker of harmful chronic inflammation.

From Washington Post

His levels of C-reactive protein, which indicate inflammation, and of D-Dimer, which indicate blood clots forming, were both very high.

From New York Times