Current analytical strategies for C-reactive protein quantification in blood.

The measurement of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels has been given particular interest as a marker of inflammation associated with cardiovascular diseases. CRP belongs to the pentraxin family of proteins and the routine clinical analysis of CRP in blood samples is used as an important factor in primary prevention programmes together with causative and predisposing factors. This review focuses on the most representative methodologies and strategies for CRP detection and quantification that have been recently proposed, as well as reviewing those that are currently being developed for the specific, sensitive, inexpensive and high-throughput blood analysis of this protein.