02 October 2003
Serum procalcitonin concentration as a negative predictor of serious bacterial infection in acute sickle cell pain crisis
L. Keith Scott, Laurie R. Grier, Thomas C. Arnold, Steven A. ConradMed Sci Monit 2003; 9(10): CR426-431 :: ID: 13253
Abstract
Background:A pilot study was designed to determine if serum procalcitonin levels would assist in the diagnosis of severe bacterial infections in patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) with acute sickle cell pain crisis and evidence of acute inflammatory response.Material/Methods:Prospective single cohort study evaluating measured procalcitonin levels in patients with sickle cell pain crisis and evidence of acute inflammation. Acute inflammation was defined as fever (>38°C) and/or elevation in the white blood cell count (>4000 above baseline) and tachycardia (heart rate >100). Procalcitonin was measured using a semi-quantitative monoclonal antibody test. Patients were followed clinically to determine if procalcitonin has predictive value in excluding severe bacterial infections.Results:Twenty four subjects were enrolled and completed the study. Sixteen had levels 0.5 ng/ml or less, two had levels 0.5 to 2 ng/ml, one had a level of 2 but less than 10 ng/ml, and four had levels 10 ng/ml or greater. All subjects with documented infections at presentation had procalcitonin levels >=2.0 ng/ml. The sensitivity of the test in this study sample was 1, and the specificity was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.75–0.99).Conclusions:A serum procalcitonin less than 2 ng/ml appears to have good negative predictive value in excluding serious bacterial infections in patients that present with acute sickle cell pain crisis and evidence of acute inflammatory response. Further study is needed to investigate if procalcitonin has positive predictive value in identifying patients with serious bacterial infections in this patient population.
Keywords: Anemia, Sickle Cell - blood
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
18 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparative Analysis of Open and Closed Sphincterotomy for the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure: Safety an...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944127
08 Mar 2024 : Laboratory Research
Evaluation of Retentive Strength of 50 Endodontically-Treated Single-Rooted Mandibular Second Premolars Res...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944110
11 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Effects of Sugammadex and Neostigmine on Postoperative Neuromuscular Blockade Recovery in Pat...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942773
12 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparing Neuromuscular Blockade Measurement Between Upper Arm (TOF Cuff®) and Eyelid (TOF Scan®) Using Miv...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943630
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952