Salivary Assay Kit Measures C-Reactive Protein

By Labmedica staff writers
Posted on 05 Aug 2008

Image: The ribbon structure of C-reactive protein (Photo courtesy of Paul Ridker).

A new salivary assay kit has been introduced that measures the immune marker C - reactive protein (CRP).

The C-reactive protein enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) kit is easy to use, accurate, precise, and reliable. CRP is widely used as a biomarker of inflammation in the body. CRP levels in humans are normally quite low, but they increase several hundred-fold during an acute-phase response. Elevated CRP levels can be linked to incidence of heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Recent studies also suggest possible links between oral health and chronic infection, inflammation, and heart disease.

Developed by Salimetrics (State College, PA, USA), the new kit follows the introduction of the secretory immunoglobulin (Ig)A kit, which also measures immune markers. Salimetrics develops and supplies salivary immunoassay products and helps the immunodiagnostic industry and analytic and functional testing laboratories worldwide. Other products include immunoassays for stress biomarkers such as alpha amylase, androstenedione, blood contamination, cortisol, estradiol, estriol, progesterone, 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, and testosterone.

Saliva is an attractive testing medium because it allows samples to be gathered easily, with relatively little stress, and on a repeated basis. For advice about collecting saliva see Salimetrics website.

Related Links:
Salimetrics