title: Evaluation of a card test for procalcitonin in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis peritonitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Peritonitis is an important complication in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. Procalcitonin (PCT) has recently been identified as an inflammation marker and recommended as a new potential marker in CAPD peritonitis. We aimed to study a card test for PCT and compare the results with the conventional markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) count.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 40 CAPD patients; 20 patients with an episode of peritonitis and 20 patients without any clinical or laboratory sign of infection were included in the study. PCT, CRP, ESR, WBC and dialysate cell count were performed at the beginning of the clinical signs of peritonitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CRP and ESR had the highest sensitivities (100% for both) but lower specificities (55 and 10%; respectively) and PCT had the highest specificity with a relatively low sensitivity (100 and 70%) according to the calculated results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The card test for PCT seems to be suitable for the adjunctional use in CAPD peritonitis, with its shorter turn-around time, appropriateness for near-patient testing and high specificity.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory, Ministery of Health, Ankara 06340, Turkey.
authors.forename: Fatma Meriç
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Gülsen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akay
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duranay
authors.forename: Dogan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yücel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008875:Middle Aged; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide