The value of C-reactive protein in the diagnosis of intestinal perforation in typhoid fever.

Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were measured in 28 Nigerian patients with typhoid fever on presentation at hospital and at intervals thereafter. Five of the 28 (18%) were subsequently diagnosed as suffering from ileal perforation. These patients had concentrations of C-reactive protein during the first 24 h of admission which were significantly higher (mean = 229 mg/L) than those without perforation (mean = 91 mg/L). C-reactive protein may have a role in the prediction of early diagnosis of perforation in patients with typhoid fever.