The value of procalcitonin in the diagnosis of infectious diseases: clinical case analysis

Objective To explore the application value of procalcitonin( PCT) in the diagnosis of infectious diseases,combined with analysis of clinical cases. Methods Serum PCT level,the foci of infection and infectious pathogens in 586 patients hospitalized from May 2012 to May 2013 in Beijing Friendship Hospital were analyzed. Of these patients,serum PCT level and other results of laboratory examinations in 63 bacterial pneumonia patients were further investigated,and their PSI score and CURB- 65 score were calculated. Results PCT level and PCT score of multi- site infection group were higher than single- site infection group. PCT level and PCT score were different in different sites of infections, of which digestive system infections were higher than urinary system and respiratory system infections. There were no significant differences in PCT level and PCT score between the low- risk group and the high- risk group in 63 bacterial pneumonia patients. The highest temperature,CRP, ESR,NAP- positive rate,NAP integration in PCT elevated group were higher than those in PCT normal group,but the duration of disease was shorter than the normal group,the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion As a new inflammatory marker of infectious diseases,PCT has important clinical value.