Paper Title
Correlation of C-reactive Protein with Other Serological Markers in Newly Diagnosed Systemic lupus Erythematosus Patients

Abstract
Background - Due to disease heterogeneity, low sensitivity and specificity of immunological tests, and other factors make Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis difficult and then monitoring their disease activity .The C-reactive protein (CRP) rises rapidly in response to inflammation and some autoimmune diseases. The role of CRP in SLE remains controversial. However, CRP enhances the clearance of apoptotic cellsthat likely contributes to homeostasis to SLE. Aim of study - This study aimed to investigate serum CRP level in newly diagnosed SLE patients and correlate it with certain immunological tests such as Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA), double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), complements C3, C4. And with Erythro Sedimentation Rate (ESR). Patients and Methods - Eighty-eight patients with SLE according to the classification criteria of the European League Against Rheumatism / American College of Rheumatology (EULAR / ACR) and 70 healthy controls were collected in this study. Sample were subjected to immunological and biochemical tests. Results - The results show that CRP, ESR, ANA, dsDNA, C3 and C4 showed a significant higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls. However CRP still in SLE patients within the normal range.We found a significant correlation between CRP with dsDNA, whereas no correlation was detected with other parameters. Conclusion - The CRP is a non-specific marker for lupus disorders but is associated with the dsDNA. Keywords - Systemic Lupus erythematosus, ESR, ANA, C-Reactive protein, C3, C4