There are two clinical assays for CRP, a standard assay and a high-sensitivity assay (hs-CRP). One form is a homopentamer termed native-CRP (nCRP), and the other is a monomer (mCRP). ĬRP is a widely used clinical inflammatory biomarker present in two forms with distinct functions. The specific immune cells and mediators at play are variable and dependent upon the injury, the onset/duration of the injury, and multiple genetic loci. The discovery of cellular and molecular inflammatory mediators and the development of sensitive biomarkers have rapidly advanced our understanding of inflammation and its role in pathology. Chronic exposure to toxic chemicals and environmental agents such as cigarette smoke can cause chronic inflammation. Cryotherapy is often an effective treatment for the acute inflammation caused by musculoskeletal injury with decreased pain and more rapid “return-to-participation.” Chronic inflammation has a slow onset of days, a long duration of years, less prominent classical signs and symptoms, and cellular infiltrate primarily composed of monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes. The erythema seen in acute inflammation results from increased blood flow to the affected area due to vasodilation. This review summarizes information relating inflammation to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer since these are major world causes of mortality and morbidity.Īcute inflammation has a rapid onset of minutes or hours, usually resolves in a few days, has classic signs and symptoms, and has cellular infiltrate primarily composed of neutrophils. Diseases in which inflammation plays a dominant pathological role have the suffix '-itis.' Both cell-mediated and humoral responses of the immune system are central to inflammation. The responses evoked by inflammation are a keystone of pathology.

Inflammation is a “second-line” defense against infectious agents. Some of these responses can be beneficial in wound healing and infection control or pathological as in many chronic disease states. Currently, inflammation is recognized as a set of complex changing responses to tissue injury primarily caused by toxic chemicals, some environmental agents, trauma, overuse, or infection.

Inflammation is a broad and ancient medical term initially referring to a set of classic signs and symptoms, including edema, erythema (redness), warmness, pain, and loss of function (stiffness and immobility).

Definition of clinical pathology