The quick-read C-reactive protein test for the prediction of bacterial gastroenteritis in the pediatric emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical usefulness of the bedside Quick-Read (QR) C-reactive protein (CRP) test for predicting bacterial gastroenteritis in the pediatric emergency department.


METHODS
We tested for CRP in 44 children who presented to the emergency department with gastroenteritis and underwent blood tests and stool culture. C-reactive protein was measured in leftover blood or serum (0.2 mL) using the immunoturbidimetric QR-CRP test kit. Background and outcome data were collected from the files. Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and logistic regression were used to determine the diagnostic ability of CRP.


RESULTS
Stool culture was positive for bacteria in 8 patients. High CRP levels correlated with a greater likelihood of a positive culture; the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.9427. The CRP values of 95 mg/L or higher had a sensitivity of 87% and a specificity of 91.7% for predicting culture-confirmed bacterial gastroenteritis.


CONCLUSIONS
The QR-CRP test seems to be a useful predictor of bacterial gastroenteritis in children. It is amenable for use in the emergency department, making it a promising tool for infection control and for aiding physicians in decisions regarding antibiotic treatment. The CRP levels of 95 mg/L or higher during the first 48 hours are suggestive of bacterial disease.
Marcus
Nufar
N
Unit of Emergency Medicine, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Mor
Meirav
M
Amir
Lisa
L
Mimouni
Marc
M
Waisman
Yehezkel
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D002097:C-Reactive Protein