ZUHAL ÖZER ŞİMŞEK
Anatolian Current Medical Journal - 2021;3(1):1-4
Aim: Culture is the most important method in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, but diagnosis may be delayed with culture. Therefore, pro-inflammatory markers are used for early diagnosis of infections. Procalcitonin, a precursor of calcitonin, takes part in the systemic reactions caused by circulating endotoxins and inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study is to investigate the utility of procalcitonin in the early diagnosis and treatment follow-up of Acinetobacter baumannii infections. Material and Method: A total of 96 patients, 63 with A. baumannii and 33 with systemic infections caused by Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Staphylococcus aureus were included in the study. The cultured areas were endotracheal aspirate, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage and blood culture. Leukocyte count, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were used as inflammation markers. Results: The procalcitonin levels in the group with infection due to A. baumannii were found to be significantly lower than the other group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of C-reactive protein and leukocyte levels. Conclusion: Unlike other bacterial infections, procalcitonin may not increase in the early stages of A. baumannii infections. This situationshould be considered in the early diagnosis of systemic infections.
