Journal of microbiology, immunology, and infection = Wei mian yu gan ran za zhi
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J Microbiol Immunol Infect · Jun 1999
ReviewApplications of acute phase reactants in infectious diseases.
The elevation of acute phase reactants (APRs) is a nonspecific host response to infection, inflammation, and tissue injury. The major biologic function of APRs is to restore homeostasis and to improve survival. ⋯ By contrast, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations increase markedly with acute invasive infections which parallel the severity of inflammation or tissue injury. This advantage makes CRP a useful marker for the presence of disease, response to therapy, and ultimate recovery.
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Though proximal muscle weakness is characteristic of polymyositis, other agents may also lead to proximal muscle weakness, such as drugs, endocrine diseases, or infections. Here, we report a thirty year-old female suffering from proximal weakness which initially was thought to be a case of polymyositis with high serum creatine phosphokinase level. Very low thyroid hormone levels were found as the history inquiry revealed constipation, hoarseness and cold intolerance. ⋯ Up to now, hypothyroid myopathy with muscle mitochondrial abnormalities shown by electron microscopic examination has not been reported in the medical literature in Taiwan. Hypothyroid myopathy, though it is rare, may be misdiagnosed as polymyositis clinically. Therefore, it is recommended that hypothyroid myopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of proximal muscle weakness.