[Procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation the value of procalcitonin as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in septic patients and patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).


METHODS
126 patients were included into the study. The patients were divided into four groups: 1--septic patients with positive blood cultures, 2--septic patients with negative blood cultures, 3--patients with SIRS, 4--patients without sepsis and SIRS. PCT level was measured by imunoluminometric assay (LUMItest) and immunochromatographic assay (PCT-Q).


RESULTS
PCT level is higher in patients with sepsis than in patients with SIRS. PCT level is only slightly elevated in patients without sepsis and SIRS. The highest PCT level is found in patients with septic shock. In patients with the clinical improvement the frequency of PCT level increase is approximately twice lower than in patients who died.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of PCT level on the first, second and third day of hospitalization has no prognostic value. There is no significant difference in PCT level in sepsis caused by Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. PCT is a useful marker in diagnosis of sepsis but its role in monitoring the severity of sepsis requires more clinical studies.
Hryckiewicz
Katarzyna
K
Katedra i Klinika Chorób Zakaźnych AM w Poznaniu.
Juszczyk
Jacek
J
Samet
Alfred
A
Arłukowicz
Elzbieta
E
Sledzińska
Anna
A
Bolewska
Beata
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide