INFLAMMATORY MARKERS

Besides C-reactive protein (CRP), 

erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 

and procalcitonin (PCT), some other markers of inflammation include 

serum amyloid A, 

cytokines, 

alpha-1-acid glycoprotein,

plasma viscosity, 

ceruloplasmin, 

hepcidin, and 

haptoglobin. However, high cost, limited availability, and lack of standardization may limit practical clinical use of markers other than CRP, ESR, and PCT in the evaluation of inflammation. Yet some acute phase proteins, for example, 

alpha-1 antitrypsin, 

fibrinogen 

and coagulation factors, 

and complement factors, serve a role in specific diagnoses. Information on the hepatic proteins albumin, 

prealbumin (transthyretin), 

retinol-binding protein (RBP), and 

transferrin can be found in the Hepatic Proteins topic.