C-reactive protein in viral and bacterial gastroenteritis in childhood.
To differentiate bacterial from viral infections the level of C-reactive protein in serum samples was studied in three groups of children under 5 years of age with gastroenteritis. Of the 53 children with bacterial infection, 41 (77%) had C-reactive protein levels > or = 12 mg1 -1, 32 (66%) > or = 20 mgl-1 and 24 (45%) > or = 35 mgl-1. Of the 35 patients with viral infection, 4 (11%) had C-reactive protein levels > or = 12 mgl-1, 3 (9%) > or = 20 mgl-1 and 1 (3%) > or = 35 mgl-1. The best balance between sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein was obtained for a cut-off level > or = 12 mgl-1 (sensitivity 77%, specificity 89%) as compared to > or = 20 mgl-1 (sensitivity 58%, specificity 97%) and > or = 35 mgl-1 (sensitivity 44%, specificity 97%). Our results suggest that the determination of C-reactive protein values may be a useful tool for predicting bacterial gastroenteritis in children.
Borgnolo
G
G
Paediatric Department, Monfalcone General Hospital, Italy.
Barbone
F
F
Guidobaldi
G
G
Olivo
G
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications*; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008403:Mass Screening; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications*
D002097:C-Reactive Protein