The Role of Procalcitonin in Diagnosis of Different Bacterial Infections

Abstract

It is reported that procalcitonin (PCT), the precursor of calcitonin is elevated in patients with severe bacterial infections. In this study our aim is to determine the value of PCT in different bacterial infections and sepsis as a marker of infection. Six brusellosis, 8 systemic salmonellosis, 9 bacterial meningitis, 11 sepsis, total 33 patients and 20 healthy adults as control group were included in the study. PCT value was measured and compared by diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP). PCT determination was performed by immunoluminometric assay (Brahms Diagnostica Lumitest, PCT, Berlin). A significant difference was found between all patients and control group for both tests. There were significant differences between PCT concentrations in sepsis and other bacterial infections but no difference was found for CRP. PCT levels increased in patients with bacterial infections like CRP but PCT was a more valuable marker than CRP for indicating the severity of infection