title: Serum neuron-specific enolase and S100 calcium binding protein B biomarker levels do not improve diagnosis of acute stroke.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high sensitivities and specificities reported for blood biomarkers as a supportive test in the diagnosis of acute stroke do not correspond with their performance for decision-making in emergency situations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two patients with suspected stroke were recruited: 44 with ischaemic stroke, 17 with haemorrhagic stroke and 11 stroke mimics, as well as a high-risk control group of 79 individuals. Serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) biomarker levels were determined on admission, using immunoassay kits. The sensitivities and specificities of NSE and S100B for distinguishing acute stroke from stroke mimics and high-risk controls were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For cut-off values (NSE ≤ 14 micrograms per litre and S100B ≤130 nanograms per litre) the sensitivity was 53% and 55% respectively. Specificity was 64 for both versus the stroke mimic group. Specificity was higher (79% and 86% respectively) when calculated on the basis of the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports the evidence indicating that serum levels of NSE and S100B do not improve the diagnosis of acute stroke.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Neurobiología Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Calle 29 esquina D. Vedado, Habana CP 10400, Cuba. sergiogg@infomed.sld.cu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: González-García
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Quevedo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peña-Sánchez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Menéndez-Saínz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández-Carriera
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arteche-Prior
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pando-Cabrera
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fernández-Concepción
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D012306:Risk; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009418:S100 Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase