Role of procalcitonin in diagnosis of bacterial infection

Objective: To investigate the value of serum procalcitonin( PCT) in the diagnosis of bacterial infection. Methods: The results of PCT,white blood cell( WBC) and C reactive protein( CRP) in 36 cases with positive bacterial culture and 40 cases with negative bacterial culture were analyzed retrospectively. The PCT was detected by semi-quantitative immunochromatography. Results: There was no statistical difference in the grading of PCT between the two groups( P 0. 05). The mean WBC and CRP in the positive bacterial culture group were significantly higher than those in the negative bacterial culture group( P 0. 01). The positive rate of PCT, WBC and CRP was 36. 11%,63. 89% and 97. 22% respectively in the positive bacterial culture group,and 25. 00%,22. 50% and 72. 50% respectively in the negative bacterial culture group. The positive rate of WBC and CRP in the positive bacterial culture group was apparently higher than that in the negative bacterial culture group( P 0. 01). There was no statistical difference in the positive rate of PCT between the two groups( P 0. 05). The sensitivity of PCT was 36. 11%,WBC 63. 89% and CRP 97. 22%; the specificity of PCT was 75. 00%,WBC 77. 50% and CRP 27. 50%,respectively. Conclusions: Serum PCT is of value in diagnosis of bacterial infection. Combined determination of PCT,WBC and CRP may help to make accurate diagnosis of bacterial infection.