title: Procalcitonin as an early marker of bacterial infection in neutropenic febrile children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the value of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-8, and soluble TNF receptor II (sTNFRII) in early and rapid diagnosis of infection in neutropenic children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to distinguish bacterial from viral infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included five groups (A, B, C, D, and E) of children with ALL undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Groups A and B consisted of neutropenic children with bacterial and viral infection, respectively. Groups C and D consisted of nonneutropenic children with bacterial and viral infection, respectively. Group E consisted of children without neutropenia and without fever.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all groups, blood samples were collected upon admission and then for 7 days on a daily basis. Levels of CRP, PCT, TNF-a, IL-1b, IL-8, and sTNFRII were determined in all blood samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a highly significant difference in PCT levels between bacterial and nonbacterial episodes. Sensitivity and specificity of PCT were 94 and 96.5%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serial measurement of PCT levels on a daily basis seems to be helpful for early prediction of severe bacterial infections, monitoring febrile episodes regarding response to antibiotic therapy, and early detection of complications in the infectious process.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Paediatrics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Agiou Ioannou 23, Kalamaria, 551 32, Thessaloniki, Greece. nontas@topo.auth.gr
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatzistilianou
authors.forename: Aleka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rekliti
authors.forename: Fanni
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Athanassiadou
authors.forename: Dorothea
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Catriu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005334:Fever / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D012372:ROC Curve; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D016209:Interleukin-8; D011498:Protein Precursors; D047889:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002116:Calcitonin; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide