[Clinical application of C-reactive protein ("NicoCard"--a new method for traditional test]

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a unique marker of acute phase response to inflammation. Measurements of CRP in the blood are widely used for diagnosis and monitoring in infections and diseases, for evaluating the activity of inflammation, choice of adequate therapy, control and prediction of disease course. Fulminant course of many diseases dictates the necessity of rapid easily interpreted quantitative non-instrumental test fit for manipulations with whole blood. NicoCard CRP kit manufactured by the Nicomed Firm allows a rapid (2 min) and accurate (quantitative using NicoCard Readers) detection of inflammation and evaluation of its severity, helps differentiate between bacterial and viral infections, choose adequate therapy (antibiotics, steroids, antiinflammatory agents), and monitor the treatment efficacy.