Inflammation

Question 1

What is an acute phase protein?

Answer 1

This is a class of protein whose number increase or decrease in response to inflammation

Question 2

Name some acute phase proteins that increase in inflammation

Answer 2

CRP (induced by IL6)
Fibrinogen (induced by IL69)
Procalcitonin

Question 3

What value rises in acute bacterial infection, and not viral/fungal/parasite?

Answer 3

Procalcitonin

NB - in viral infections, viral particles stimulate synthesis and release of interferon which inhibits the PCT response

Question 4

Why do some viruses cause an indirect increase in PCT levels?

Answer 4

Viruses such as influenza can kill surface cells, leaving a cellular layer below that is vulnerable to bacterial infection

Question 5

Why do some patients with infection develop iron deficient anaemia?

Answer 5

Pathogens use up iron

Question 6

Why do we investigate coagulation and platelets in infection?

Answer 6

Thrombocytopenia occurs in severe sepsis and is an early indicator of DIC, which is life-threatening

Question 7

What causes an extremely high CRP value?

Answer 7

Severe infection

Severe vasculitis

Question 8

What can an elevated PCT tell us in the context of a UTI?

Answer 8

If elevated, it is evidence that the bacteria has spread to the blood from the bladder (gives indication of severity)