Role of C-reactive protein in neuroinfection

Abstract

CRP belongs to the pentraxin family of calcium dependent ligand-binding plasma proteins. The pentraxin family named for it electron micrographic appearance from the Greek penta (five), ragas (berras). CRP can be produced in neurons and lipopolysaccharides can induce CRP production in extrahepatic sites. Its production is controlled by interleukin-6 and it binds to polysaccharides present in many bacteria, fungi and protozoal parasites. Meningitis patients admitted and willing to give consent in the medicine department at Victoria hospital and Bowring & Lady Curzon hospital, BMCRI, Bangalore. The NPV was 100%, which implied that bacterial meningitis could be ruled out if the CSF-CRP was negative. The accuracy of CRP for bacterial meningitis was 100%.