Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: RESULTS: PCT levels were within the normal range (< 0.5 ng/mL) in patients with CRF and renal transplant patients without any clinical evidence of bacterial infection, regardless of the degree of renal failure and the underlying disorders. In 22 out of 76 stable HD patients, PCT levels were above the upper limit of normal, but 97% of these values were below the proposed cut-off for chronic HD patients of < 1.5 ng/mL. CRP levels were elevated in 17 of 32 patients with CRF (mean +/- SD: 0.57 +/- 0.49 mg/dL), in 10 of 31 renal transplant patients (0.41 +/- 0.55 mg/dL), in 16 of 23 patients with autoimmune disorders (2.78 +/- 3.21 mg/dL) and in 42 of 76 patients treated by HD (0.64 +/- 0.58 mg/dL). In patients with CRF and systemic bacterial infections, both PCT and CRP were markedly elevated (PCT 61.50 +/- 115.4 ng/mL, CRP 14.50 +/- 10.36 mg/dL), but in contrast to PCT, CRP values overlapped in infected and non-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that PCT levels are not significantly affected by loss of renal function, immunosuppressive agents or autoimmune disorders. Thus, significantly elevated PCT concentrations offer good sensitivity and specificity for the early diagnosis of systemic bacterial infection in patients with CRF or patients with ESRD treated by HD. CRP concentrations may be useful indicators for inflammation in patients with renal diseases, but have low specificity for the diagnosis of bacterial infection.
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Authors | Thomas Sitter, Martin Schmidt, Susanne Schneider, Helmut Schiffl |
Journal | Journal of nephrology
(J Nephrol)
2002 May-Jun
Vol. 15
Issue 3
Pg. 297-301
ISSN: 1121-8428 [Print] Italy |
PMID | 12113602
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- CALCA protein, human
- Protein Precursors
- Calcitonin
- C-Reactive Protein
- Creatinine
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Bacterial Infections
(blood, complications, diagnosis)
- Blood Cell Count
- C-Reactive Protein
(analysis)
- Calcitonin
(blood)
- Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
- Creatinine
(blood)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Female
- Humans
- Inflammation
(blood, complications, diagnosis)
- Kidney Failure, Chronic
(blood, complications, therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Prospective Studies
- Protein Precursors
(blood)
- Renal Replacement Therapy
- Severity of Illness Index
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