title: [Usefulness of acute-phase proteins in community-acquired pneumonia].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to study the usefulness of acute-phase proteins in the evolution and microbial diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).
  
  
  METHODS
  One-year prospective study of CAP. Plasma levels of C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and fibrinogen were measured on admission in all patients with CAP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  240 cases of CAP were included in the study. ESR was higher in patients who developed pleural effusion (p = 0.03). A value of ESR > 120 mm/h was associated with a higher likelihood of having a CAP complicated with pleural effusion (odds ratio = 3.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-10.49, p = 0.006). Baseline concentrations of CRP, ESR and fibrinogen were higher in patients who developed empyema. CRP and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia, while pneumococcal pneumonia was associated with a higher ESR value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some frequently used acute-phase proteins can be useful in the prediction of pleural complications and in the approach to the etiological diagnosis of CAP.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Elche, Alicante, Spain. mirete_car@gva.es
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mirete
authors.forename: Félix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masiá
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: Ildefonso
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Soldán
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D015415:Biomarkers; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein