Karl Landsteiner Institute of Dermatological Research, St. Pölten, Austria.
J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2012 Aug;10(8):564-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1610-0387.2011.07858.x. Epub 2012 Jan 25.
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a specific biomarker for early detection of bacterial infections. While the usefulness of procalcitonin in severe conditions such as sepsis is well established, its relevance in the diagnosis and prognosis of localized cutaneous bacterial infections is unknown. Our aim was to initially evaluate if PCT is a useful parameter for predicting the severity of skin and skin structure infections (SSSI). Furthermore, the correlation of PCT levels with C-reactive protein (CRP), leukocyte counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and body temperature was investigated.
Serum PCT, routine laboratory parameters, and body temperature were regularly examined in 50 consecutive patients with SSSI requiring inpatient intravenous antibiotic treatment. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the guidelines developed by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) as having either an uncomplicated (SSSI) or a complicated skin and skin structure infection (cSSSI).
No significant correlation could be detected between the length of inpatient antibiotic treatment and PCT on days 1, 2, 3, and the maximum value on these days. The same result was found when uncomplicated SSSI and complicated SSSI (cSSSI) were evaluated separately. However, PCT levels were significantly higher in the latter. Furthermore, PCT levels showed a significant correlation with CRP, leukocyte count, ESR, and body temperature.
PCT might be a useful additional tool for initial diagnosis and monitoring of patients with SSSI.
降钙素原 (PCT) 是早期检测细菌感染的特异性生物标志物。虽然 PCT 在脓毒症等严重情况下的有用性已得到充分证实，但它在局部皮肤细菌感染的诊断和预后中的相关性尚不清楚。我们的目的是最初评估 PCT 是否是预测皮肤和皮肤结构感染 (SSSI) 严重程度的有用参数。此外，还研究了 PCT 水平与 C 反应蛋白 (CRP)、白细胞计数、红细胞沉降率 (ESR) 和体温的相关性。
连续 50 例需要住院静脉使用抗生素治疗的 SSSI 患者定期检查血清 PCT、常规实验室参数和体温。根据美国食品和药物管理局 (FDA) 制定的指南，患者分为两组，即无并发症 (SSSI) 和有并发症的皮肤和皮肤结构感染 (cSSSI)。
在这些天的第 1、2、3 天及第 1、2、3 天的最高值，住院抗生素治疗时间与 PCT 之间未发现明显相关性。当分别评估无并发症 SSSI 和有并发症 SSSI (cSSSI) 时，也得到了相同的结果。然而，后者的 PCT 水平明显更高。此外，PCT 水平与 CRP、白细胞计数、ESR 和体温呈显著相关性。
PCT 可能是 SSSI 患者初始诊断和监测的有用辅助工具。
