C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN THE DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS BETWEEN INFECTION AND DISEASE REACTIVATION IN SLE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 8  (2) , 291-294
Abstract
Of 197 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) sera, 50 had > 2 positive C-reactive protein (CRP) determinations by precipitation in capillary tubes. All but 3 of these 50 sera were taken at the time of infection; 80 of the 115 sera taken at the time of SLE activity without infection were negative for CRP. Of the 35 CRP positive sera from patients with active lupus, 32 were obtained during intercurrent infection. CRP determination in capillary tubes is clinically useful in distinguishing disease reactivation from intercurrent infection in SLE. These findings confirm a study using the same method for CRP determination. Discrepancy with another study may be due to the use of a different method.