What Is SAA (Serum Amyloid A)?

What it is

Serum amyloid A is an acute-phase protein that rises rapidly during inflammation and infection.

Why it matters

Used alongside CRP for infection/inflammation triage.

Specimen

Whole blood / serum / plasma

Interpretation

Elevated = acute inflammation/infection.

Limitations

Non-specific — used alongside CRP.

Related test: SAA Semi-Quantitative Rapid Test — specimen: WB / S / P