[Diagnostic importance of pentraxins at the early phase of acute pancreatitis]. / Znaczenie pentraksyn we wczesnej diagnostyce ostrego zapalenia trzustki.

Pentraxins are among the main acute phase reactants. There are two types of pentraxins, i.e., long, including pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and short, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA). The aim of the study was to assess the increase in serum concentrations of pentraxins (ex- pressed as the multiplicity of the upper reference limits) and their usefulness in prognosing severe course of acute pancreatitis (AP) in the early phase of the disease. Forty patients admitted to Ist Department of Surgery, Jagiel-Ionian University Medical College with the diagnosis of AP were recruited for the study. In the early phase of AP, the concentrations of PTX3 achieved maximum earlier than CRP or SAA, enabling to differentiate between mild and moderate or severe AP in the first day of the disease. Also, during the first 24 hours from beginning of AP, SAA achieved its best prognostic value. Of all pentraxins studied, SAA was characterized by the most significant increase as compared to the upper reference limit. The prognostic utility of CRP increased later, after 48 hours of AP.

[Changes in the peripheral blood cells count in the early phase of acute pancreatitis]. / Zmiany w badaniu morfologii krwi obwodowej we wczesnej fazie ostrego zapalenia trzustki.

Peripheral blood count belongs to the most frequently ordered laboratory tests performed in the assessment of the current patients condition. In addition to basic information, including analysis of individual cell populations, additional parameters are given that can be helpful in predicting the course of disease, including acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of the study was to compare the parameters of blood counts in patients with mild and moderate to severe AP in the early stage of the disease. We confirmed a significant predictive value of monitoring the total white blood cell counts, direct neutrophil counts, platelet counts, and the value of RDW in the first week of AP. Also, the relationship was observed between increased hematocrit value and mortality in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.