Serum amyloid assay can assist in determining the presence of infectious inflammation and graft rejection.
Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a highly conserved acute-phase protein that is synthesized primarily by the liver. During acute inflammation, serum SAA levels may be elevated up to 1000-fold. However, its half-life is short and its value decreases after about 50 minutes of elevation.
Elevated SAA is usually caused by infection of the organism by bacteria, viruses, mycoplasma, and chlamydia, and also in the stage of acute hepatitis, acute cirrhosis, and metastasis of malignant tumors, which can lead to increased SAA values.
In addition, SAA has a diagnostic role in renal transplant rejection, and most patients who experience rejection are accompanied by an increase in its value.
If the value of serum amyloid increases after measurement, it is recommended to carry out further detailed examination to determine the cause of the disease and then decide the treatment.