INTRODUCTION C-reactive protein is an acute phase protein synthesised by the liver in response to a number of stimuli involving tissue damage. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and other cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-I and transforming growth factor are also involved in CRP production12. A number of conditions stimulate CRP synthesis including pulmonary infarction, inflammation, and neoplasia though bacterial infections are most potent stimuli leading to marked elevation in serum CRP levels within a few hours. Pneumonia elicits a powerful inflammatory response, both locally and systemically with chemotatic cytokine release into the peripheral circulation. There have only been scanty reports of the diagnostic utility of CRP in pneumonia. CRP has also been shown to be helpful in distinguishing bacterial and viral pneumonia3. CRP has also been used as an index of response to treatment in rheumatic fever and certain other conditions. CRP is tested either by capillary precipitation...
