Procalcitonin (PCT) is a predictive marker for the occurrence of bacterial infection and the decision to terminate antibiotic treatment in critically ill patients. An unusual increase in PCT, regardless of infection, has been observed during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support. We evaluated trends and the predictive value of PCT levels in adult cardiogenic shock during treatment ...

BACKGROUND This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate whether the serum procalcitonin (PCT) level can be utilized to guide the use of antibiotics in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma. METHODS A total of 293 consecutive patients with suspected asthma attacks from February 2005 to July 2010 participated in this study. 225 patients completed the study. Serum PCT levels, and ...

BACKGROUND Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is characterized by fragile skin with blistering on sun-exposed areas. Symptoms typically develop in late adulthood and can be triggered by iron overload, alcohol intake, oestrogens and various liver diseases. Treatment consists of phlebotomy to reduce iron, or increasing urinary porphyrin excretion by administering chlorochin. To optimize patient care, ...

The clinical significance of serum procalcitonin (PCT) for discriminating between bacterial infectious disease and nonbacterial infectious disease (such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)), was compared with the significance of endotoxin, beta-D: -glucan, interleukin (IL)-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in a multicenter prospective study. The concentrations of PCT in patients wit...

BACKGROUND Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a common complication after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as early biomarkers for the diagnosis of postoperative HAP after abdominal surgery. METHODS This study was conducted on 100 patients undergoing abdominal surgery. White blood cell counts, highest body ...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated the value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a marker of bacterial infection, as well as the rapid decrease in its concentration with appropriate antibiotic treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the variation in serum PCT levels over time during the treatment of acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in adults. METHODS In this prospective analy...

BACKGROUND Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) has been effectively used for the treatment of acute cholecystitis (AC) for patients unsuitable for early cholecystectomy. This retrospective study investigated the recurrence rate after successful PCT treatment and factors associated with recurrence. METHODS We reviewed patients treated with PCT for AC from October 2004 through December 2013...

INTRODUCTION PCT has been consolidated as a key tool in the diagnosis of bacterial infections in general population. Few studies have been conducted to determine the applicability of this test in elderly patients. METHODS Study of validity of PCT on elderly patients. Two groups were formed; the first group was formed by patients aged 75 years or older, under bacterial infection criteria and P...

BACKGROUND Procalcitonin (PCT) is an inflammatory marker that has been used as indicator of severe bacterial infection. We evaluated the concentrations of PCT as a marker for systemic infection compared to C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients neutropenic febrile. METHODS 52 adult patients were enrolled in the study. Blood sample was collected in order to determine the serum concentrations of ...

INTRODUCTION Although the clinical application of procalcitonin (PCT) as an infection marker in patients with impaired renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) has been increasing recently, it is unclear whether PCT is more accurate than C-reactive protein (CRP). We investigated the clinical value of CRP and PCT based on renal function. METHODS From N...