The role of inflammation in the etiology of atherosclerosis has emerged over the last few years. which lab test is a marker for systemic inflammation?

The correct answer is C-reactive protein or CRP.

CRP is one of the most important marker for systemic inflammation. Another equally important marker for systemic inflammation is the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or the ESR. CRP and ESR are acute phase reactants that are synthesized in the liver by hepatocytes in response to proinflammatory cytokines (i. e. IL-2, TNF, IL-6).