Comparative assessment of the results of serum CRP concentration measurements using NycoCard Reader II and Array 360 in children

WIESŁAWA KRÓL (Zakład Diagnostyki Laboratoryjnej i Immunologii Klinicznej Wieku Rozwojowego Akademii Medycznej w Warszawie, Samodzielny Publiczny Dziecięcy Szpital Kliniczny przy ul. Marszałkowskiej 24 w Warszawie,Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Maria Wąsik)

Background
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration is about 2 mg/l to 10 mg/l in normal population. In acute infections CRP concentrations increase by 100- and even 1000-folds. Increased CRP concentrations are observed, among other things, in bacterial infections. CRP concentration measurements using low sensitivity methods enabling concentrations between 5 and 10 mg/l detection are performed in routine diagnostic test, particularly in pediatrics. High CRP concentration in blood entitles, for example, to introduce antibiotic therapy.

Material and methods
Blood from forearm vein (antecubital vein) was collected into the test tube with no antico-agulant added. After a blood clot has formed the blood was centrifuged to obtain serum. Blood that remained after ESR measurement was used to determine CRP concentrations in the whole blood and serum. CRP concentration were determined using two evaluation methods: nephelometry and immunometric test with NycoCard Reader II.

Results
Results obtained with NycoCard Reader II are reproductible and closely comparable to nephelometry.

Key words: C-reactive protein (CRP), serum CRP concentration, NycoCard Reader II