title: C-reactive protein as a marker of ventilator-associated pneumonia resolution: a pilot study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, body temperature and white cell count (WCC) after prescription of antibiotics in order to describe the clinical resolution of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). A cohort of 47 VAP patients with microbiological confirmation of disease was assessed. CRP levels, body temperature and WCC were monitored daily. On day 4 of the antibiotic therapy, the CRP level of survivors was 0.62 times the initial value, whereas, in nonsurvivors, it was 0.98. Body temperature and WCC remained almost unchanged. By day 4, a CRP of >0.6 times the initial level was a marker of poor outcome (sensitivity 0.92; specificity 0.59). Patients were divided according to their CRP patterns of response to antibiotics: fast response, slow response, nonresponse, and biphasic response. All patients with fast and slow response patterns survived, whereas those showing nonresponse and a biphasic response pattern exhibited a mortality of 78 and 75%, respectively. The adequacy of the initial antibiotic therapy had a marked influence on the rate of CRP decrease, as well as on mortality. In conclusion, daily C-reactive protein measurements after antibiotic prescription were useful in the identification, as early as day 4, of ventilator-associated pneumonia patients with poor outcome. The identification of the pattern of C-reactive protein response to antibiotics was useful in the recognition of individual clinical course, improving or worsening, as well as of the rate of improvement.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Garcia de Orta Hospital, 2800-525 Almada, Portugal. povoap@netcabo.pt
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Póvoa
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mealha
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sabino
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001831:Body Temperature; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein