[Clinical use of latex tests. II. Evaluation of latex tests in C-reactive protein determination]

We compared the most reliable and practical laboratory methods for the quantitative determination of serum C-reactive protein that is polistyrene latex particles together with purified anti-C-reactive protein rabbit globulin, the precipitation test using anti-C-reactive protein serum and finally, radial immunodiffusion on agar-gel plates. We examined 163 serum specimens from ambulatory patients and from various hospitalized patients in Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento of Milan (Italy). All the methods tested showed a good qualitative discrimination for serum C-reactive protein presence or absence at pathological levels. We also compared the two latex methods. In conclusion, radial immunodiffusion confirmed to be the best method for accurate C-reactive protein dosage during inflammatory and degenerative processes.