The C-reactive protein (CRP) is a plasma protein involved in host defense by promoting agglutination, bacterial capsular swellling, phagocytosis and complement fixation through its calcium-dependent binding to phosphorylcholine. It also scavenges nuclear material released from damaged circulating cells. The concentration of CRP in plasma increases greatly during acute phase response to tissue injury, infection or other inflammatory stimuli. CRP has two isoforms produced by alternative splicing.