The rapid test cassette detects both C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A proteins (SAA) in samples of fingertip blood, venous whole blood, serum or plasma. CRP and SAA are excellent markers of the severity of acute inflammation reactions. Levels of both CRP and SAA increase within hours following inflammatory stimulus caused by bacterial infections or other reasons. SAA levels increase even more than CRP levels and are better early markers for inflammatory joint diseases.