Medición rutinaria de calcitonina sérica en nódulos tiroideos / Routine serum calcitonin measurement in thyroid nodules

Existe mucha controversia sobre los beneficios de la medición de la calcitonina sérica (CT) durante la evaluación inicial de pacientes con nódulos tiroideos. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la identificación temprana del carcinoma medular de tiroides (CMT) a través de la medición rutinaria de CT sérica en una cohorte de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se estudiaron consecutivamente a los pacientes con enfermedad nodular de la tiroides (n=1017). La CT se midió por quimioluminiscencia (valor normal: hasta 18 pg/ml en hombres y 12 pg/ml en mujeres). En dos pacientes, la hipercalcitoninemia se confirmó en mediciones repetidas. La aspiración con aguja fina con medición de CT en el líquido obtenido identificó la presencia del CMT. El estudio genético fue positivo en uno (mutación exón 14, Val804Met, CMT familiar). El otro presentó un polimorfismo (heterocigoto exón 13 L769L - heterocigoto exón 15 S904S). En ambos casos, la CT se normalizó 3 meses después de la cirugía y se mantuvo en valores normales después de 6 años de seguimiento. La medición rutinaria de la CT en nódulos tiroideos fue útil para detectar dos casos de CMT, uno de ellos esporádico y el otro familiar en la cohorte seguida. La prevalencia de CMT fue de 0.2%.

There is much controversy about the benefits of the use of serum calcitonin (CT) in the initial evaluation of patients with thyroid nodules. The objective of the study was to early identify medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) through the routine measurement of CT in thyroid nodular pathology in a large cohort of patients from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Consecutive patients with nodular thyroid disease (n=1017) were studied. CT was measured by chemiluminescence, normal value: up to 18 pg/ml in men and 12 pg/ml in women. In two patients, hypercalcitoninemia was confirmed in repeated measurements. Fine needle aspiration with CT measurement in the needle wash fluid identified MTC in nodules with citology abnormalities. The genetic study was positive in one patient (mutation exon 14, Val804Met, MTC familiar). The other presented a polymorphism (exon 13 L769L heterozygous - exon 15 S904S heterozygous). In both cases, CT was normalized 3 months after surgery and remained normal after 6 years of follow-up. The routine measurement of CT in thyroid nodular pathology was useful to detect two cases of MTC, one of them sporadic and the other familiar in this cohort. The prevalence of MTC was 0.2%.

Serum calcitonin nadirs to undetectable levels within 1 month of curative surgery in medullary thyroid cancer

ABSTRACT Objective: Because serum calcitonin (CT) is a reliable marker of the presence, volume, and extent of disease in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), both the ATA and NCCN guidelines use the 2-3 month post-operative CT value as the primary response to therapy variable that determines the type and intensity of follow up evaluations. We hypothesized that the calcitonin would nadir to undetectable levels within 1 month of a curative surgical procedure. Subjects and methods: This retrospective review identified 105 patients with hereditary and sporadic MTC who had at least two serial basal CT measurements done in the first three months after primary surgery. Results: When evaluated one year after initial surgery, 42 patients (42/105, 40%) achieved an undetectable basal calcitonin level without additional therapies and 56 patients (56/84, 67%) demonstrated a CEA within the normal reference range. In patients destined to have an undetectable CT as the best response to initial therapy, the calcitonin was undetectable by 1 month after surgery in 97% (41/42 patients). Similarly, in patients destined to have a normalize their CEA, the CEA was within the reference range by 1 month post-operatively in 63% and by 6 months in 98%. By 6 months after curative initial surgery, 100% of patients had achieved a nadir undetectable calcitonin, 98% had reached the CEA nadir, and 97% had achieved normalization of both the calcitonin and CEA. Conclusion: The 1 month CT value is a reliable marker of response to therapy that allows earlier risk stratification than the currently recommended 2-3 month CT measurement.

Comparison of serum PCT and CRP levels in patients infected by different pathogenic microorganisms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To avoid the abuse and misuse of antibiotics, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been used as new approaches to identify different types of infection. Multiple databases were adopted to search relevant studies, and the articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria were included. Meta-analyses were conducted with Review Manager 5.0, and to estimate the quality of each article, risk of bias was assessed. Eight articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. The concentrations of both PCT and CRP in patients with bacterial infection were higher than those with non-bacterial infection. Both PCT and CRP levels in patients with G− bacterial infection were higher than in those with G+ bacterial infection and fungus infection. In the G+ bacterial infection group, a higher concentration of CRP was observed compared with fungus infection group, while the difference of PCT between G+ bacterial infection and fungus infection was not significant. Our study suggested that both PCT and CRP are helpful to a certain extent in detecting pneumonia caused by different types of infection.

Percutaneous laser ablation of benign thyroid nodules: a one year follow-up study / Ablação percutânea com laser de nódulos benignos de tireoide: um estudo de acompanhamento de um ano

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate safety and effectiveness of nodule volume reduction and thyroid function after percutaneous laser ablation treatment in patients with benign nonfunctioning thyroid nodules. Methods Prospective single-center study, from January 2011 to October 2012, which evaluated 30 euthyroid and thyroid antibodies negative patients with benign solitary or dominant nodule with indication of treatment due to compressive symptoms and aesthetic disturbances. The clinical and laboratory (thyroid ultrasound, TSH, FT4, TG, TG-Ab, TPO-Ab and TRAb levels) evaluations were performed before the procedure, and periodically 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after. The ablation technique was performed under local anesthesia and sedation. In each treatment, one to three 21G spinal needle were inserted into the thyroid nodule. The laser fiber was positioned through the needle, which was then withdrawn 10mm to leave the tip in direct contact with the nodule tissue. Patients were treated with a ND: Yag-laser output power of 4W and 1,500 to 2,000J per fiber per treatment. The entire procedure was performed under US guidance. Results Thirty patients, with a total of 31 nodules submitted to laser ablation were evaluated. The median volumetric reduction of the nodule was approximately 60% after 12 months. No statistical significance was observed on thyroid function and antibodies levels. There was a peak on the level of thyroglobulin after the procedure due to tissue destruction (p<0.0001). No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion Percutaneous laser ablation is a promising outpatient minimally invasive treatment of benign thyroid nodule.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a segurança e a efetividade da redução de volume nodular e função tireoidiana após tratamento com ablação percutânea por laser em pacientes com nódulos tireoidianos benignos não funcionantes. Métodos Estudo unicêntrico prospectivo, de janeiro de 2011 a outubro de 2012, que avaliou 30 pacientes eutireoideos (com anticorpos antitireoide negativos), com nódulo solitário ou dominante benigno, com indicação de tratamento devido a sintomas de compressão e distúrbios estéticos. As avaliações clínica e laboratorial (ultrassonografia de tireoide, TSH, FT4, TG, TG-Ab, TPO-Ab e TRAb) foram realizada antes do procedimento e periodicamente − 1 semana, 3 meses e 6 meses depois. A técnica de ablação consistiu em procedimento realizado sob a anestesia local e sedação. Em cada tratamento, uma a três agulhas espinhais 21G foram inseridas no nódulo tireoidiano. A fibra laser foi posicionada através da agulha que foi, então, retirada 10mm, para deixar a ponta em contato direto com o nódulo. Os pacientes foram tratados com uma potência de saída ND: Yag-laser de 4W e 1.500 a 2.000J por fibra por tratamento. Todo o procedimento foi guiado por ultrassonografia. Resultados Foram avaliados 30 pacientes, com total de 31 nódulos submetidos à ablação a laser. A redução média volumétrica do nódulo foi de aproximadamente 60% após 12 meses. Não foi observada significância estatística na função da tireoide e nem nos níveis de anticorpos. Houve pico no nível de tiroglobulina após o procedimento devido à destruição do tecido (p<0,0001). Nenhum efeito adverso foi observado. Conclusão A ablação com laser é um tratamento minimamente invasivo promissor para tratamento do nódulo benigno da tireoide.

Diagnostic and prognostic performances of serum procalcitonin in patients with bloodstream infections: A parallel, case-control study comprising adults and elderly

Summary Objective: To examine the diagnostic and prognostic performances of serum procalcitonin (PCT) in adult and elderly patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs). Method: A total of 176 patients with culture-proven BSIs and 200 healthy counterparts were studied prospectively. Participants were studied in two adult (age≤65 years, n=92) and elderly (age>65 years, n=84) groups. Admission serum PCT level was measured using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results: The mean serum PCT level (in ng/mL) was significantly higher in cases than in controls (0.18 vs. 0.07, p=0.01 in adults; 0.20 vs. 0.07, p=0.002 in elderly). At cut-off values of 0.09 ng/mL in adults and 0.08 ng/mL in the elderly, the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 82.6 and 82.0% in adults, and 69.1 and 70.0% in elderly, respectively. At a cut-off value of 0.2 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of serum PCT in predicting 28-day mortality were 81 and 81.7% in adults, and 75 and 80.4% in elderly, respectively. Conclusion: Although admission serum PCT is a sensitive and specific biomarker for the diagnosis of BSIs in patients younger than 65 years old, its short-term prognostic value is comparable between adults and the elderly.

The effect of tadalafil therapy on kidney damage caused by sepsis in a polymicrobial septic model induced in rats: a biochemical and histopathological study

ABSTRACT Introduction Sepsis is an inflammatory reaction to bacteria involving the whole body and is a significant cause of mortality and economic costs. The purpose of this research was to determine whether tadalafil exhibits a preventive effect on sepsis in a septic model induced in rats with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Materials and Methods Rats were randomly separated into groups, 10 rats in each: (i) a sham (control) group, (ii) an untreated sepsis group, (iii) a sepsis group treated with 5mg/kg tadalafil and (iv) a sepsis group treated with 10mg/kg tadalafil. A polymicrobial sepsis model was induced in rats using CLP. Rats were sacrificed after 16h, and blood and kidney tissues were collected for biochemical and histopathological study. Results Levels of the inflammatory parameter IL-6 decreased significantly in the sepsis groups receiving tadalafil in comparison with the untreated sepsis group (p<0.05). In terms of histopathology, inflammation scores investigated in kidney tissues decreased significantly in the sepsis groups receiving tadalafil compared to the untreated sepsis group (p<0.05). In addition, levels of creatinine and cystatin C measured in septic rats receiving tadalafil were lower by a clear degree than in septic rats (p<0.05). Conclusion In this study, tadalafil exhibited a preventive effect for sepsis-related damage by suppressing inflammation in serum and kidney tissue of septic rats in a polymicrobial sepsis model induced with CLP.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of procalcitonin for early intracranial infection after craniotomy

Intracranial infection is a common clinical complication after craniotomy. We aimed to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of dynamic changing procalcitonin (PCT) in early intracranial infection after craniotomy. A prospective study was performed on 93 patients suspected of intracranial infection after craniotomy. Routine peripheral venous blood was collected on the day of admission, and C reactive protein (CRP) and PCT levels were measured. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected for routine biochemical, PCT and culture assessment. Serum and CSF analysis continued on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The patients were divided into intracranial infection group and non-intracranial infection group; intracranial infection group was further divided into infection controlled group and infection uncontrolled group. Thirty-five patients were confirmed with intracranial infection after craniotomy according to the diagnostic criteria. The serum and cerebrospinal fluid PCT levels in the infected group were significantly higher than the non-infected group on day 1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). The area under curve of receiver operating characteristics was 0.803 for CSF PCT in diagnosing intracranial infection. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of CSF PCT was superior to other indicators. The serum and CSF PCT levels have potential value in the early diagnosis of intracranial infection after craniotomy. Since CSF PCT levels have higher sensitivity and specificity, dynamic changes in this parameter could be used for early detection of intracranial infection after craniotomy, combined with other biochemical indicators.

Can procalcitonin be a diagnostic marker for catheter-related blood stream infection in children? / A procalcitonina pode ser um marcador de diagnóstico de infecções de corrente sanguínea relacionadas a cateter em crianças?

Abstract Objective The potential role of procalcitonin (PCT) in the diagnosis of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSIs) is still unclear and requires further research. The diagnostic value of serum PCT for the diagnosis of CRBSI in children is evaluated here. Method This study was conducted between October 2013 and November 2014, and included patients with suspected CRBSI from 1 month to 18 years of age who were febrile, with no focus of infection, and had a central venous catheter. Levels of PCT and other serum markers were measured, and their utility as CRBSI markers was assessed. Additionally, the clinical performance of a new, automated, rapid, and quantitative assay for the detection of PCT was tested. Results Among the 49 patients, 24 were diagnosed with CRBSI. The PCT-Kryptor and PCT-RTA values were significantly higher in proven CRBSI compared to those in unproven CRBSI (p = 0.03 and p = 0.03, respectively). There were no differences in white blood cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels between proven CRBSI and unproven CRBSI. Among the 24 patients with CRBSI, CRP was significantly higher among those with Gram-negative bacterial infection than in those with Gram-positive bacterial infections. PCT-Kryptor was also significantly higher among patients with Gram-negative bacterial infection than in those with Gram-positive bacterial infections (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02, respectively). Conclusions The authors suggest that PCT could be a helpful rapid diagnostic marker in children with suspected CRBSIs.

Resumo Objetivo O possível papel da procalcitonina (PCT) no diagnóstico de infecções de corrente sanguínea relacionadas a cateter (ICSRCs) ainda não está claro e precisa ser mais pesquisado. O valor diagnóstico da PCT sérica para o diagnóstico de ICSRC em crianças é avaliado neste estudo. Método Este estudo foi feito entre outubro de 2013 e novembro de 2014 e incluiu pacientes com suspeita de ICSRC de um mês a 18 anos que estavam febris, não tinham foco de infecção e tinham cateter venoso central. Foram medidos os níveis de PCT e de outros marcadores séricos, cuja utilidade como marcadores de ICSRC foi avaliada. Adicionalmente, foi testado o desempenho clínico de um novo ensaio quantitativo automatizado e rápido para a detecção de PCT. Resultados Dentre 49 pacientes, 24 foram diagnosticados com ICSRC. Os valores de PCT-Kryptor e PCT-RTA foram significativamente maiores em ICSRCs comprovadas do que em ICSRCs não comprovadas (p = 0,03 e p = 0,03, respectivamente). Não houve diferença na contagem de glóbulos brancos e nos níveis de proteína C reativa (PCR) entre ICSRCs comprovadas e ICSRCs não comprovadas. Dentre os 24 pacientes com ICSRC, a PCR era significativamente maior entre aqueles com infecção bacteriana gram-negativa do que naqueles com infecção bacteriana gram-positiva. O PCT-Kryptor também foi significativamente maior entre pacientes com infecção por bactérias gram-negativas do que naqueles com infecção por bactérias gram-positivas (p = 0,01 e p = 0,02, respectivamente). Conclusões Sugerimos que a PCT pode ser um marcador de diagnóstico rápido útil em crianças com suspeita de ICSRCs.

Valor prognóstico da procalcitonina em pacientes com infecções do trato respiratório inferior no ambiente hospitalar / Prognostic value of procalcitonin in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections

RESUMO Infecções do trato respiratório inferior são condições frequentes e potencialmente letais, consistindo nas principais causas de prescrição inadequada de antibióticos. A caracterização de sua gravidade e a predição prognóstica dos pacientes acometidos auxiliam na condução, permitindo maior acerto nas decisões sobre a necessidade e o local de internação, assim como a duração do tratamento. A incorporação de biomarcadores às estratégias classicamente utilizadas representa estratégia promissora, com destaque para a procalcitonina. O objetivo deste artigo foi apresentar uma revisão narrativa sobre a potencial utilidade e as limitações do uso da procalcitonina como um marcador prognóstico em pacientes hospitalizados portadores de infecções do trato respiratório inferior. Os estudos publicados sobre o tema são heterogêneos, no que tange à variedade de técnicas de mensuração da procalcitonina, seus valores de corte, os contextos clínicos e a gravidade dos pacientes incluídos. Os dados obtidos indicam valor moderado da procalcitonina para predizer o prognóstico de pacientes com infecções do trato respiratório inferior, não superior a metodologias classicamente utilizadas, e com utilidade que se faz notar apenas quando interpretados junto a outros dados clínicos e laboratoriais. De modo geral, o comportamento da procalcitonina, ao longo dos primeiros dias de tratamento, fornece mais informações prognósticas do que sua mensuração em um momento isolado, mas faltam informações sobre a custo-efetividade dessa medida em pacientes em terapia intensiva. Estudos que avaliaram o papel prognóstico da procalcitonina inicial em pacientes com pneumonia adquirida na comunidade apresentam resultados mais consistentes e com maior potencial de aplicabilidade prática, mas com utilidade limitada a valores negativos para a seleção de pacientes com baixo risco de evolução desfavorável.

ABSTRACT Lower respiratory tract infections are common and potentially lethal conditions and are a major cause of inadequate antibiotic prescriptions. Characterization of disease severity and prognostic prediction in affected patients can aid disease management and can increase accuracy in determining the need for and place of hospitalization. The inclusion of biomarkers, particularly procalcitonin, in the decision taken process is a promising strategy. This study aims to present a narrative review of the potential applications and limitations of procalcitonin as a prognostic marker in hospitalized patients with lower respiratory tract infections. The studies on this topic are heterogeneous with respect to procalcitonin measurement techniques, cutoff values, clinical settings, and disease severity. The results show that procalcitonin delivers moderate performance for prognostic prediction in patients with lower respiratory tract infections; its predictive performance was not higher than that of classical methods, and knowledge of procalcitonin levels is most useful when interpreted together with other clinical and laboratory results. Overall, repeated measurement of the procalcitonin levels during the first days of treatment provides more prognostic information than a single measurement; however, information on the cost-effectiveness of this procedure in intensive care patients is lacking. The results of studies that evaluated the prognostic value of initial procalcitonin levels in patients with community-acquired pneumonia are more consistent and have greater potential for practical application; in this case, low procalcitonin levels identify those patients with a low risk of adverse outcomes.

Procalcitonin determined at emergency department as an early indicator of progression to septic shock in patient with sepsis associated with ureteral calculi

ABSTRACT Introduction: To investigate the role of initial procalcitonin (PCT) level as an early predictor of septic shock for the patient with sepsis induced by acute pyelonephritis (APN) secondary to ureteral calculi. Materials and Methods: The data from 49 consecutive patients who met criteria of sepsis due to APN following ureteral stone were collected and divided into two groups: with (n=15) or without (n=34) septic shock. The clinical variables including PCT level for this outcome were retrospectively compared by univariate analysis, followed by multivariable logistic regression model. Results: All subjects had hydronephrosis, and were hospitalized with the mean of 11.8 days (3–42 days). The mean size of the ureteral stones was 7.5mm (3–30mm), and 57% were located in upper ureter. At univariate analysis, patients with septic shock were significantly older, a higher proportion had hypertension, lower platelet count and serum albumin level, higher CRP and PCT level, and higher positive blood culture rate. Multivariate models indicated that lower platelet count and higher PCT level are independent risk factors (p=0.043 and 0.046, respectively). In ROC curve, the AUC was significantly wider in PCT (0.929), compared with the platelet count (0.822, p=0.004). At the cut-off of 0.52ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were 86.7% and 85.3%. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated elevated initial PCT levels as an early independent predictor to progress into septic shock in patients with sepsis associated with ureteral calculi.

Serum Procalcitonin as a Useful Serologic Marker for Differential Diagnosis between Acute Gouty Attack and Bacterial Infection

PURPOSE: Patients with gout are similar to those with bacterial infection in terms of the nature of inflammation. Herein we compared the differences in procalcitonin (PCT) levels between these two inflammatory conditions and evaluated the ability of serum PCT to function as a clinical marker for differential diagnosis between acute gouty attack and bacterial infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 67 patients with acute gouty arthritis and 90 age-matched patients with bacterial infection. Serum PCT levels were measured with an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay. RESULTS: Serum PCT levels in patients with acute gouty arthritis were significantly lower than those in patients with bacterial infection (0.096±0.105 ng/mL vs. 4.94±13.763 ng/mL, p=0.001). However, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels showed no significant differences between the two groups. To assess the ability of PCT to discriminate between acute gouty arthritis and bacterial infection, the areas under the curves (AUCs) of serum PCT, uric acid, and CRP were 0.857 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.798-0.917, p<0.001], 0.808 (95% CI, 0.738-0.878, p<0.001), and 0.638 (95% CI, 0.544-0.731, p=0.005), respectively. There were no significant differences in ESR and white blood cell counts between these two conditions. With a cut-off value of 0.095 ng/mL, the sums of sensitivity and specificity of PCT were the highest (81.0% and 80.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Serum PCT levels were significantly lower in patients with acute gouty attack than in patients with bacterial infection. Thus, serum PCT can be used as a useful serologic marker to differentiate between acute gouty arthritis and bacterial infections.

Soluble Suppression of Tumorigenicity 2 and Echocardiography in Sepsis

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) has emerged as a biomarker of cardiac stretch or remodeling, and has demonstrated a role in acutely decompensated heart failure. However, its role in sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction is still unknown. We explored whether sST2 serum concentration reflects either systolic or diastolic dysfunction as measured by Doppler echocardiography. In a total of 127 patients with sepsis, correlations between sST2 and blood pressure, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, LV diastolic filling (ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity), and resting pulmonary arterial pressure were evaluated. Correlations between sST2 and other sepsis biomarkers (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] and procalcitonin) were also examined. sST2 showed a moderate correlation with mean arterial pressure (r=-0.3499) but no correlation with LV ejection fraction, diastolic filling, or resting pulmonary hypertension. It showed moderate correlations with hs-CRP and procalcitonin (r=0.2608 and r=0.3829, respectively). sST2 might have a role as a biomarker of shock or inflammation, but it cannot reflect echocardiographic findings of LV ejection fraction or diastolic filling in sepsis.

Valor predictivo de la procalcitonina en niños con sospecha de sepsis / Predictive value of procalcitonin in children with suspected sepsis Abstract

Introducción: El uso de biomarcadores podría constituir una herramienta en el diagnóstico, pronóstico y estratificación en la sepsis. El objetivo fue analizar el valor de la procalcitonina (PCT), proteína C reactiva (PCR) y lactato en la predicción de shock séptico, mortalidad y en la estratificación en niños con sospecha de sepsis. Pacientes y método: Estudio prospectivo en 81 pacientes en los cuales se midió niveles plasmáticos de PCT, PCR y lactato al ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos. Los pacientes se categorizaron en síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica, sepsis, sepsis grave y shock séptico. Resultados: Las concentraciones de la PCT (ng/mL) aumentaron significativamente de acuerdo a la gravedad de la sepsis: 0,36 (0-1,2) para síndrome de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica; 1,96 (0,4-3,5) para sepsis; 7,5 (3,9-11,1) en sepsis grave; y 58,9 (35,1-82,7) para shock séptico (p < 0,001). Comparada con la PCR y el lactato, el área bajo la curva ROC reveló un poder discriminativo favorable de la PCT para predecir shock séptico y mortalidad: 0,91 (IC95%: 0,83-0,97) y 0,80 (IC95%: 0,69-0,88), respectivamente. Conclusiones: A diferencia de la PCR y el lactato, la determinación de la PCT al ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos es un buen predictor de shock séptico y mortalidad, y permite estratificar a los pacientes de acuerdo a la gravedad de la sepsis.

Introduction: The use of biomarkers could be a tool for diagnosis, prognosis and stratifying children with sepsis. Our main goal was to analyze the value of procalcitonin (PCT), C reactive protein (CRP) and lactate in predicting mortality, septic shock and the stratification in children with suspected sepsis Patients and method: Prospective study in 81 patients. Plasma levels of PCT, CRP and lactate were measured at admission in the pediatric intensive care unit. Patients were categorized into systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock. Results: Concentrations of PCT (ng/mL) increased significantly according to the severity of sepsis: 0.36 (0-1.2) for systemic inflammatory response syndrome; 1.96 (0.4-3.5) for sepsis; 7.5 (3.9-11.1) for severe sepsis; and 58.9 (35.1-82.7) for septic shock (P <.001). Compared to CRP and lactate, the area under the ROC curve revealed a good discriminative power of PCT to predict septic shock and mortality, 0.91 (95% CI: 0.83-0.97) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.69-0.88), respectively. Conclusions: In contrast to CRP and lactate, the determination of PCT in pediatric intensive care unit admission is a good predictor of mortality and septic shock and can stratify patients according to severity of sepsis.

Evaluation of systemic inflammatory responses in cholecystectomy by means of access. Single-port umbilical incision, transvaginal NOTES, laparoscopy and laparotomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare clinical and inflammatory responses to the surgical trauma caused by cholecystectomy via several access approaches: single-port umbilical incision (SILS), transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), laparoscopy, and Laparotomy.METHODS: Twenty-eight female pigs were equally divided into four groups and submitted to cholecystectomy by single-port umbilical incision, transvaginal NOTES, laparoscopy, or Laparotomy. An additional five animals served as controls (sham group). Animals were monitored perioperatively regarding anesthesia and surgical procedure times, as well as for the presence of complications. Postoperatively, they were evaluated regarding time to ambulation and feeding, and the presence of clinical events. Procalcitonin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and AQUI feron-gamma (IFN-γ) measurements were performed before surgery and immediately, two days, and seven days after surgery. Animals were sacrificed and necropsied at seven days after surgery.RESULTS: All procedures were successfully performed as proposed in each group. Only minor complications, such as gallbladder perforation and bleeding from the liver bed, were observed during surgery in all groups. The vaginal NOTES group showed higher anesthesia and surgical procedure times compared to the other groups (p<0.001). No other between-group differences in perioperative or postoperative times, clinical evolution, or serum inflammatory markers were observed. Only adhesions were found on necropsy, with no differences between groups.CONCLUSION: The single-port umbilical and transvaginal NOTES access approaches were feasible and safe compared to laparoscopic and laparotomy for cholecystectomy.

The impact of tracheotomy on levels of procalcitonin in patients without sepsis: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE:Procalcitonin is a reliable biomarker of infection and sepsis. We aimed to determine whether tracheotomy influences the procalcitonin concentrations in patients without sepsis and assess whether operative duration and procedure affect the peak procalcitonin level.METHODS:A total of 38 non-septic patients who required a tracheotomy underwent either a percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (n=19) or a surgical tracheotomy (n=19). Procalcitonin levels were measured at the beginning of the tracheotomy and at 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after the procedure.RESULTS:The baseline procalcitonin concentration before the tracheotomy was 0.24±0.13 ng/mL. The postoperative levels increased rapidly, with a 4-fold elevation after 2 h, reaching a peak 4 h later with a 5-fold increase over baseline. Thereafter, the levels gradually returned to 2-fold greater than the baseline level within 72 h. The peak levels of procalcitonin showed a significant positive correlation with operative durations (r=0.710, p<0.001) and procedures (rho=0.670, p<0.001).CONCLUSION:In patients without sepsis, tracheotomy induces a rapid release of serum procalcitonin, and the operative duration and procedure have significant impacts on the peak procalcitonin levels. Thus, the nonspecific increase in procalcitonin levels following tracheotomy needs to be considered when this measure is used to evaluate infection.

Evaluation of procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 & serum amyloid A as diagnostic biomarkers of bacterial infection in febrile patients.

Background & objectives: Early identification of bacterial infection in patients with fever is important for prompt treatment. However, the available parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte counts are not very specific. This study was aimed to assess the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT), CRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum amyloid A (SAA) for bacterial infection in febrile patients. Methods: Serum samples were collected from febrile patients between January and December 2012 and processed for blood cultures. PCT, IL-6, CRP and SAA levels were measured. The patients were divided into three groups according to the final diagnosis: bacteraemia group (group1), bacterial infection with negative blood culture (group 2) and non-bacterial infection group (group 3). Results: There were significant (P<0.05) difference in the levels of PCT, CRP, IL-6 and SAA among the three groups. The PCT levels of patients with gram-positive bacterial infections were lower than gram-negative bacterial infections (0.53 vs 2.13, P < 0.01). The best cut-off value to detect bacterial infections was 0.26 ng/ml for PCT. PCT, CRP, IL-6 and SAA had areas under the curve of 0.804, 0.693, 0.658 and 0.687, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results showed PCT as a valuable marker of bacterial infections in febrile patients. PCT was superior to CRP, IL-6 or SAA in the early identification of bacterial infection. More prospective and large scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Soluble ST2 Has a Prognostic Role in Patients With Suspected Sepsis

BACKGROUND: Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) has emerged as a novel biomarker for heart failure, and serum sST2 concentrations could be increased in inflammatory diseases. We explored whether sST2 is related to cardiac dysfunction/failure and has a prognostic role in patients with suspected sepsis. METHODS: In a total of 397 patients with suspected sepsis, sST2 concentrations were measured by using the Presage ST2 Assay (Critical Diagnostics, USA). sST2 concentrations were analyzed according to procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations, cardiovascular subscores of the sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: sST2 concentrations were increased significantly according to the five groups of PCT concentrations and cardiovascular subscores of the SOFA score (P<0.000001 and P=0.036, respectively). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among patients with sST2 concentrations above 35 ng/mL (P=0.0213) and among patients with increased concentrations of both sST2 and PCT (P=0.0028). CONCLUSIONS: sST2 seems to be related to both cardiac dysfunction/failure and severity in sepsis. Measurement of sST2 and PCT in combination would be useful for risk stratification and prognosis prediction in patients with suspected sepsis.

Cutoff value of serum procalcitonin as a diagnostic biomarker of infection in end-stage renal disease patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels are low in healthy individuals but are elevated in patients with a serious bacterial infection or sepsis. In this study, we examined the ability of serum PCT concentration to diagnose infections in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, and sought to determine an appropriate threshold level. METHODS: Serum PCT levels were measured in ESRD patients on antibiotic therapy for a suspected bacterial infection (ESRD infection [iESRD] group, n = 21), and compared with those of ESRD patients on hemodialysis with no sign of infection (ESRD control [cESRD] group, n = 20). RESULTS: The mean serum PCT concentration of the iESRD group was significantly higher than in the cESRD group (2.95 +/- 3.67 ng/mL vs. 0.50 +/- 0.49 ng/mL, p = 0.006), but serum PCT concentrations did not correlate with severity of infection. The optimized threshold level derived for serum PCT was 0.75 ng/mL, rather than the currently used 0.5 ng/mL; this threshold demonstrated a sensitivity and specificity of 76.2% and 80.0% for infection and 100% and 60.6% for systemic inflammatory response syndrome, respectively, compared with the cutoff of 0.5 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that serum PCT at a cutoff value of 0.75 ng/mL is an appropriate indicator of infection in ESRD patients.