Procalcitonin as a useful marker of infection in hemato-oncological patients with fever.
BACKGROUND
The diagnostic utility of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) to discriminate between infective fever and fever due to inflammation was assessed in hemato-oncological patients treated with aggressive chemotherapy.


METHODS
Values of PCT and PCR measured on days -1, 0, 1, 3 and 5 of onset of fever were analyzed using longitudinal regression analysis. Of 236 febrile episodes in 166 patients, 39 were due to bacteremia, 62 to other infections and 135 were classified as fever of unknown origin.


RESULTS
PCT concentration increased early only in bacteremia and other infections (p<0.001), with the highest levels at day +1. No different trends were noted in patients with low WBC count (<1,000/microl). CRP increased with a similar trend in all the three groups.


CONCLUSIONS
PCT determination may contribute significantly to the management of hemato-oncological patients who experience febrile episodes.
Sandri
Maria T
MT
Laboratory Medicine Unit, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy. maria.sandri@ieo.it
Passerini
Rita
R
Leon
Maria E
ME
Peccatori
Fedro A
FA
Zorzino
Laura
L
Salvatici
Michela
M
Riggio
Daniela
D
Cassatella
Cristina
C
Cinieri
Saverio
S
Martinelli
Giovanni
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide