Binding of human C-reactive protein to bacteria.

The binding of C-reactive protein to a variety of species of bacteria with potential clinical significance was studied to assess the potential function of C-reactive protein in nonimmune defense against infection. Purified, radioiodinated human C-reactive protein bound to all Streptococcus pneumoniae tested and to some viridans streptococci, but not to group A or group B streptococci or to any of eight different gram-negative rods and cocci.