Diagnostic value of PCT level detection combined with bacterial culture in lower respiratory tract infection

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) level detection combined with bacterial culture in lower respiratory tract infection. Methods 88 patients with lower respiratory tract infection admitted to our hospital from March, 2017 to June, 2019 were selected as the research objects. According to the clinical diagnosis, they were divided into a bacterial infection group (44 cases) and a non-bacterial infection group (44 cases). 44 healthy people who underwent physical examination in our hospital at the same time were selected as a control group. The three groups were detected by electrochemical sandwich method. The sputum of the bacterial infection group was collected for bacterial culture. The PCT levels and positive rates of the three groups were compared; and the distribution of bacteria and the detection rate of bacterial culture in the bacterial culture group were counted. Results The PCT level of the bacterial infection group was higher than those of the non-bacterial infection group and the control group, with statistical differences (both P<0.05); the PCT level of the non-bacterial infection group was higher than that of control group, with a statistical difference (P<0.05). The positive rate of the bacterial infection group was higher than those of the non-bacterial infection group and the control group, with statistical differences (both P<0.05); the positive rate of the non-bacterial infection group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). The results of bacterial culture showed that 22 cases were positive, and the detection rate was 50.00%, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa accounting for 36.36%, Staphylococcus epidermidis 18.18%, Staphylococcus aureus 13.63%, Klebsiella pneumoniae 18.18%, pneumonia 18.18%, Streptococcus 4.55%, Escherichia coli 4.55%, and Enterobacter cloacae 4.55%. Conclusion PCT level detection combined with bacterial culture can improve the positive detection rate of lower respiratory tract infection, and provide important guidance for clinical identification of bacterial infection, non-bacterial infection, and clinical medication. Key words: Lower respiratory tract infection; PCT level detection; Bacterial culture