Acute Phase Reactants: Relevance in Dermatology

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Immunology
• Dermatology

Background:

• Acute phase reactants (APRs) are plasma proteins that change concentration during inflammation.
• Conditions like infection, trauma, and malignancy trigger acute phase responses.
• APRs are elevated in various inflammatory and infectious conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of APRs in dermatological conditions.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of APRs in skin and soft tissue infections.
• To explore the potential of APRs as diagnostic tools in dermatology.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on APRs in inflammatory and dermatological conditions.
• Analysis of specific APRs such as ESR, CRP, procalcitonin, ferritin, and SAA.
• Correlation of APR levels with disease activity and severity in various conditions.

Main Results:

• ESR and CRP levels predict infection severity in skin and soft tissue infections.
• Procalcitonin aids in differentiating viral from bacterial infections.
• Elevated APRs (CRP, SAA, ferritin) are observed in systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, psoriasis, and drug reactions.

Conclusions:

• APRs play a significant role in assessing inflammatory and infectious conditions, including dermatological diseases.
• Specific APRs like ESR, CRP, and ferritin show promise as biomarkers for disease severity and activity in dermatology.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the clinical significance and diagnostic applications of APRs in dermatology.