Abstract
CRP is an acute phase reactant which rises rapidly during inflammation and infection and whose values can be usefully utilised in the precocious diagnosis of sepsis in infants and children. CRP serum levels are usually determined using two different techniques: laser nephelometry (LN) and latex agglutination test (LA). The former is the most sensitive and specific method but long and expensive, while the latter is a simpler, cheaper and rapid test. The aim of our study was to value if LA had enough sensitivity to be used as a general screening test, even in the wards, and to use LN only in positive latex patients where it is important a serial quantitative determination of CRP.
We studied 262 patients between 2 months and 12 years of age, admitted to the Dpt. of Pediatrics, University of Padua, with a suspicion of infection. CRP levels were determined by means of Behring LN module I, type B and by Rapi-tex CRP by Behring Institute. In our laboratory normal value of CRP concentration in newborn serum by LN have been found to be < 1.0 mg%. Accordingly we consider, in agreement with other authors, that value to be normal also for infants and children.
In our study LA showed a sensitivity of 67%, a specificity of 93% and a predictive value of 74%. Even if we consider, in agreement with some others authors, < 1.5 mg% the normal LN value of CRP, LA shows a sensitivity of 73% with a specificity of 94% and a predictive value of 76%. We conclude that LA is not as sensitive to be used as screening technique and that actually only LN method is useful for CRP determination.
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Ruga, E., Anglani, F., Giaquinto, C. et al. LASER NEPHELOMETER AND LATEX DETERMINATION OF CRP SERUM LEVELS IN A PEDIATRIC POPULATION. Pediatr Res 19, 1109 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00237
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198510000-00237