title: Evaluation of procalcitonin and neopterin level in serum of patients with acute bacterial infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fever as a common presenting complaint in pediatric patients can be due to various causes. Differentiating bacterial infection from other causes is important because the prompt use of antibiotics is critical in bacterial infection. Traditional markers of infection such as BT and WBC count may be unspecific and culture may be late or absent. CRP and Procalcitonin (PCT) have been considered to evaluate the evolution of infections and sepsis in patients presenting with SIRS. Neopterin has also been proposed to aid in the diagnosis of bacterial infection. In this study, we compared the value of the serum PCT, neopterin level, and WBC count for predicting bacterial infection and outcome in children with fever.
  
  
  METHODS
  158 pediatric (2-120-month-old) patients suspected to have acute bacterial infection, based on clinical judgment in which other causes of SIRS were ruled out were included in the study. WBC count with differential was determined and PCT and neopterin levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PCT level was higher in bacterial infection and patients who were complicated or expired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapid PCT test is superior to neopterin and WBC count for anticipating bacterial infection, especially in ED where prompt decision making is critical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pourakbari
authors.forename: Setareh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mamishi
authors.forename: Javid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zafari
authors.forename: Hanieh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khairkhah
authors.forename: Mohammad H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ashtiani
authors.forename: Masomeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abedini
authors.forename: Shahla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Afsharpaiman
authors.forename: Soroush Seifi
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rad
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D019798:Neopterin; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide