title: [Procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and sepsis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Chorób Zakaźnych AM w Poznaniu.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hryckiewicz
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Juszczyk
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samet
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arłukowicz
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sledzińska
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bolewska
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide