Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Serum Amyloid A and C-reactive Protein Levels in Patients with Acute Brucellosis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the levels of and the relationship between serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in patients with acute brucellosis. Methodology: SAA, CRP and ESR were measured with ELISA, nephelometry and Mix-Rate x100 vital diagnostic device, respectively, in serum samples of 30 patients diagnosed with acute brucellosis and 40 volunteers with no systemic diseases. Results: Statistically significant difference was determined between patients and controls in terms of the levels of SAA, CRP and ESR (p<0.05). Although CRP levels and ESR were significantly correlated in the patient group (p<0.05), there was no significant correlation between CRP and SAA or ESR and SAA (p>0.05). Conclusion: CRP levels are significantly elevated in bacterial infections, however the increase is minimal in viral infections. SAA increases sooner and to greater levels during the course of infections. In addition, contrary to CRP, SAA is markedly elevated in both bacterial and viral infection. Consequently, these three acute phase reactants should be used together in order to obtain more reliable results in the differential diagnosis of infections.