根據發表在4月24日《重癥監護》期刊上的文章報道，監測每日C反應蛋白(CRP)水平能夠預測重癥監護室(ICU)發生的感染。

研究人員研究了在ICU治療24小時或者更長時間內患者的CRP水平。在入選患者中35例在監護室內發生了感染而28例沒有感染。在患者診斷前5天或者從ICU出院的時候，檢查了患者的CRP水平。

研究人員發現CRP水平每日變化大于4.1mg/dl是預測感染的良好指標，敏感性為92.1%而特異性為71.4%。當CRP濃度大于8.7mg/dl的時候，預測權重進一步升高：88% CRP變化大于4.1而且CRP濃度大于8.7mg/dl的患者出現感染。研究人員得出結論，監測CRP變化能夠幫助臨床決策而且有助于在ICU內使用抗生素。

C-reactive Protein Predicts ICU Infection
 
Daily monitoring of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels can help predict infections acquired in the intensive care unit (ICU), according to a new study published in the April 24 issue of Critical Care, a publication of BioMed Central.

Researchers analyzed the CRP levels of patients admitted to the ICU during 72 hours or more. Among the patients selected for the study, 35 acquired an infection during their stay in the ICU and 28 did not. Patient records of CRP levels were measured during the five days before diagnosis of infection or ICU discharge.

The researchers found that a daily variation of CRP levels greater than 4.1 mg/dl is a good marker for prediction of infection, with 92.1% sensitivity and 71.4% specificity. When combined with a CRP concentration greater than 8.7 mg/dl, the prediction power increased further: 88% of patients with CRP variations greater than 4.1 and a CRP concentration greater than 8.7 mg/dl developed an infection. The researchers concluded that monitoring CRP progression can aid clinical decision-making and the prescription of antibiotics in ICUs.