降钙素原与C反应蛋白早期预测腹腔镜结直肠癌术后吻合口漏的临床价值

目的探讨降钙素原(PCT)及C反应蛋白(CRP)早期预测腹腔镜结直肠癌术后吻合口漏的临床价值。方法前瞻性入组2019年3月至2019年10月间华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院胃肠外科收治的行腹腔镜结直肠癌手术的病人。分别于术前及术后第1、3、5、7天检测病人血清PCT、CRP、白细胞计数(WBC)、中性粒细胞计数(NEUT)水平,根据术后是否发生吻合口漏分为吻合口漏组与非吻合口漏组。比较两组不同时间点血清PCT、CRP、WBC、NEUT水平的差异,根据受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)评价和比较PCT、CRP、WBC对吻合口漏预测的准确性,并计算其敏感度、特异度及最佳临界值。采用DeLong测试计算两条ROC曲线下面积(AUC)之差,并进行AUC间的比较。结果共入选112例行腹腔镜结直肠癌手术病人,术后8例(7.14%)发生吻合口漏,吻合口漏组术后血清PCT、CRP水平显著高于非吻合口漏组。PCT、CRP预测术后吻合口漏的准确性均优于WBC;CRP在各时间点中术后第3天预测吻合口漏准确性最高;PCT在术后第3、5天预测吻合口漏准确性均优于术后第3天CRP预测吻合口漏准确性;术后第3、5天PCT预测吻合口漏的AUC比较,两者差异无统计学意义(P=0.664)。术后第3天PCT预测吻合口漏敏感度为87.5%,特异性为86.5%,阳性预测值为31.8%,最佳临界值为1.26μg/L;术后第5天PCT预测吻合口漏敏感度为87.5%,特异性为76.9%,阳性预测值为22.6%;术后第3天PCT预测吻合口漏的特异性与阳性预测值优于术后第5天。术后第3、5天PCT联合CRP预测吻合口漏的AUC分别为0.903、0.888,术后第3天单独PCT预测吻合口漏的AUC与术后第3天PCT联合CRP预测吻合口漏的AUC相比,两者差异无统计学意义(P=0.135)。结论动态监测术后血清PCT和CRP水平可有效预测腹腔镜结直肠癌手术后吻合口漏的发生。术后第3天血清PCT水平对早期预测吻合口漏有很高的临床价值,当术后第3天血清PCT>1.26μg/L时,应高度警惕吻合口漏发生的可能。     

血浆前降钙素原对多发骨折感染并发症的预测

目的研究动态监测血浆前降钙素原(proprocalcitonin,PCT)对多发骨折感染并发症的预测价值。方法多发骨折患者79例分感染、非感染两组于入院后的第1,3,5,7,10,14,21天收集血标本;对照组30例于入院后第1天收集血标本。应用LumitestPCT-Q试剂盒测定血浆PCT水平,ELISA法测定血浆C反应蛋白(CRP)水平。结果多发骨折患者非感染组与对照组相比血浆PCT水平轻度升高,CRP一直维持在较高水平,感染组患者所有指标均明显高于对照组(P<0.05)。感染组与非感染组相比,血浆PCT明显升高(P<0.05),而血浆CRP无显著差异(P>0.05)。分别以2.0μg/L、250mg/L为PCT、CRP的临界值预测感染,PCT的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值均明显高于CRP。结论血浆PCT是多发骨折患者并发感染敏感的预测指标,进行常规PCT检测有助于早期发现创伤后感染并发症,预测创伤的转归和预后。     

血清降钙素原、C反应蛋白、血清白蛋白和白细胞介素-6检测早期预测食管癌术后吻合口漏的应用价值

目的 探讨检测血清降钙素原(PCT)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、血清白蛋白(ALB)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)对早期预测食管癌术后吻合口漏(AL)的临床应用价值。方法 回顾性分析新乡医学院第一附属医院2020-01—2022-10行食管癌根治术的88例患者的临床资料，分为AL组(20例)和非AL组(68例)。分别于术前，术后第1天、第3天和第5天检测患者的CRP、PCT、ALB、IL-6水平。结果 2组患者术前的CRP、PCT、ALB、IL-6水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。术后第1天、第3天、第5天2组患者的CRP、IL-6水平均高于术前，ALB水平低于术前，差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。其中，非AL组术后第1天、第3天、第5天的PCT水平与术前差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),术后第1天、第3天、第5天的CRP、IL-6水平低于AL组，ALB水平高于AL组，差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。非AL组术后CRP、ALB、IL-6水平各时间点组内比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。AL组术后第1天、第3天和第5天的PCT高于术前，术后第3天和...     

胫骨平台骨折术后感染患者PCT、CRP检测及其临床意义

目的探讨创伤性胫骨平台骨折术后感染患者降钙素原(PCT)、C反应蛋白(CRP)的临床诊断价值,为患者的临床诊断提供指导。方法选择2017年1月至2018年12月接诊的创伤性胫骨平台骨折患者90例作为研究对象。根据骨折手术治疗后是否感染,分为两组。其中观察组13例为术后感染者,对照组为未感染患者77例。所有患者均于术后第1、4、7天采用免疫比浊法检测PCT、CRP水平,比较两组患者两血清炎症因子指标的变化状况,分析其与病情的关系。同时采用ROC曲线评估PCT、CRP以及联合检测的诊断价值。结果术后1天,两组患者PCT、CRP水平相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后4、7天,观察组患者PCT、CRP一直处于高水平,明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。以PCT2ng/ml,CRP10mg/L为临界值,PCT、CRP联合检测的灵敏度、特异度均高于单独PCT、CRP检测,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。PCT、CRP及联合检测的ROC曲线下面积分别为0.723、0.866、0.962。结论 PCT、CRP联合诊断对骨折术后感染患者的具有较高的准确度、敏感度和特异度,从而可用于指导创伤性胫骨平台骨折术后临床预防感染,并作为病情监测和疗效评价指标,值得临床推广应用。     

血清降钙素原在骨折患者术后感染中的诊断价值

目的探讨降钙素原（PCT）、C反应蛋白（CRP）和WBC对骨折患者术后感染的预测价值。方法回顾性分析49例开放性骨折患者的资料,根据术后感染情况分为术后感染组（24例）和无感染组（25例）,分别在第1、4、7和第10天检测患者血液中的PCT、CRP和WBC值,并与健康对照组进行比较。应用受试者工作特征（ROC）的曲线下面积分析各指标对术后感染的诊断价值。结果感染组和无感染组术后第1天PCT、CRP和WBC与健康对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（F值分别为19．84、57．71和35．44,P值均〈0．01）。术后第4、7和第10天,感染组的PCT、CRP和WBC值均高于无感染组,且差异有统计学意义（tPCT值分别为7．31、7．74和4．59,tCRP值分别为2．23、5．75和8．01,tWBC值分别为2．34、2．51和4．07,P值均〈0．05）。ROC曲线分析表明,PCT对开放性骨折术后感染诊断的特异性和敏感性均高于CRP和WBC。结论骨折术后并发感染可引起PCT、CRP和WBC的增高,PCT检测的敏感性和特异性较高,对骨折术后感染的早期诊断更具临床价值。     

胰十二指肠切除术后早期胰瘘的影响及预测因素分析

目的:探讨胰十二指肠切除术(PD)后早期胰瘘的影响及预测因素,以指导术后更早拔除腹腔引流管,促进患者康复。方法:回顾西南医院肝胆外科2013年1月—2015年10月收治的430例PD手术患者的临床资料,用单因素与多因素统计法分析以及受试者操作特性曲线(ROC)分析术后早期胰瘘的影响因素及因素的预测价值。结果:430例患者中发生术后早期胰瘘116例(26.9%),此外,在未发生术后早期胰瘘的患者中,术后5d内拔除腹腔引流管患者术后胰瘘、腹腔感染以及总并发症发生率均明显低于5d后拔管患者(3.1%vs.12.1%、9.2%vs.20.3%、24.5%vs.42.0%,均P0.05)。单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析显示,术后第1天腹腔引流液淀粉酶水平(DFA_1)与术后第1天血清淀粉酶水平(SA_1)为术后早期胰瘘的独立影响因素(OR=1.000、1.004,95%CI=1.000~1.001、1.001~1.006,均P0.05);ROC分析结果显示,DFA_1预测PD术后早期胰瘘发生的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.916,明显大于SA_1(0.745),DFA_1≥494.75IU/L敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为91.7%、80.8%、62.7%、96.5%。结论:DFA1是PD后早期胰瘘重要的影响与预测因素,对于DFA_1494.75IU/L的患者,可于术后第3天安全拔除腹腔引流管,并对患者实施快速康复策略。     

血清降钙素原检测对异基因造血干细胞移植术后并发菌血症的诊断价值

目的探讨血清降钙素原(PCT)、C反应蛋白(CRP)和内毒素检测对异基因造血干细胞移植(allo-HSCT)术后并发菌血症患者的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析2013年6月至2016年5月解放军第三〇九医院移植血液科行allo-HSCT术后发热的122例受者,检测血清PCT、CRP和内毒素。以血培养结果作为金标准,计算PCT、CRP、内毒素3种检测方法的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线,计算ROC曲线下面积。P0.05为差异具有统计学意义。结果根据血培养结果,122例allo-HSCT术后发热患者中有40例为菌血症,其中革兰阴性菌24例,革兰阳性菌16例。PCT和CRP检测ROC曲线下面积分别为0.815、0.727,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。当PCT检测截断值为0.845 ng/m L时,灵敏度和特异度分别为72.5%、87.5%,阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为74.3%、86.7%。当CRP检测截断值为55.4 mg/L,灵敏度和特异度分别为71.8%、66.3%,阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为50.0%、80.8%。结论血清PCT检测对于allo-HSCT术后合并菌血症患者的的临床诊断价值高于CRP和内毒素,可作为预测allo-HSCT术后发热患者是否并发细菌感染的优选诊断指标。     

血清降钙素原(PCT)与C反应蛋白(CRP)在创伤感染中的诊断价值

目的探讨检测创伤性感染患者血清降钙素原(PCT)与C反应蛋白(CRP)水平的临床意义。方法选取医院2015年6月至2017年6月收治的80例创伤性感染患者作为本次观察组,另外选取80例同期入院治疗且未发生感染的创伤患者作为对照组。分别抽取两组患者血液检测其血清降钙素原(PCT)与C反应蛋白(CRP)水平。结果观察组术后第1天PCT和CRP与对照组比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),而术后第4天、第9天则明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);感染未完全控制时,血清PCT水平持续升高并于术后第4天达到高峰,较前相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。但在感染控制后,PCT浓度明显下降,而CRP于术后第9天达到高峰,迟于PCT;观察组检测PCT、CRP阳性率分别为91.25%(73/80)、97.50%(78/80),明显高于对照组10.00%(8/80)、8.75%(7/80),P0.05。本次研究中以血清CRP≥50 mg/L、PCT≥10 ng/ml作为阳性诊断标准,PCT、CRP ROC曲线下面积分别为0.87、0.95,检测CRP、PCT对创伤性感染均具有较高的诊断价值,且两者诊断准确率、灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值相比较,P0.05。结论检测创伤性感染患者血清CRP、PCT对及早诊断感染具有重要意义,有利于预防及治疗早期感染,更好的促进患者康复。     

C反应蛋白/白蛋白比值对胰十二指肠切除术后并发症预测价值的探讨

目的探讨C反应蛋白/白蛋白比值(C-reactive protein/albumin ratio,CAR)对胰十二指肠切除术(pancreaticoduodenectomy,PD)后并发症的预测价值。方法回顾性收集2015–2018年期间于新疆医科大学第一附属医院胰腺外科行PD的134例患者的临床资料,探索CAR对于PD术后胰瘘(postoperative pancreatic fistula,POPF和腹腔感染的预测价值。结果 134例患者中,术后发生并发症84例,其中POPF 38例,腹腔感染32例,胆汁漏5例,胃排空延迟(delayed gastric emptying,DGE)63例,术后出血(post pancreatectomy hemorrhage,PPH)13例,切口感染8例,乳糜漏1例。并发症组和无并发症组患者的性别、年龄、BMI、美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)分级、肿瘤性质、肿瘤直径、手术时间、术中出血量、糖尿病史、饮酒史、吸烟史和黄疸史比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),但并发症组的住院时间长于无并发症组(P<0.05)。POPF者和腹腔感染者术后1、3及5 d的CAR值均相应高于非POPF者(除外术后1 d)和非腹腔感染者(P<0.05)。术后第3天的CAR预测POPF的灵敏度为79.95%,特异度为86.46%;预测腹腔感染的灵敏度为75.00%,特异度为81.37%,结果优于单纯使用降钙素原(PCT),但与C反应蛋白(CRP)+PCT和CRP接近。结论术后CAR可以较好地预测PD后POPF和腹腔感染的发生,且效果优于单纯使用PCT。     

WBC计数及血清CRP、PCT检测在胃肠道肿瘤术后吻合口瘘中的诊断价值

目的探讨WBC计数及血清CRP、PCT检测在胃肠道肿瘤术后吻合口瘘中的诊断价值。方法选取186例胃肠道肿瘤手术的患者为观察对象。根据临床表现及影像学检查结果将患者分为吻合口瘘组(18例)及非吻合口瘘组(168例)。于术后第3~4天内检测2组患者的WBC计数及血清PCT、CRP水平。比较2组的检测结果。结果吻合口瘘组术后第3~4天内的WBC计数及血清PCT、CRP水平阳性率均高于非吻合口瘘组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论血清CRP、PCT均是阳性率较高的细菌感染标志物。对胃肠道肿瘤根治性切除、消化道重建术后第3~4天内出现持续性发热及WBC计数升高的患者,均应高度怀疑吻合口瘘的可能,需及时进行PCT和CRP检测,早期确定吻合口瘘的发生,以便迅速采取措施进行干预。     

Diagnostic Accuracy of C-reactive Protein for Intraabdominal Infections After Colorectal Resections

Background  Intraabdominal infections are caused mainly by anastomotic leaks and represent a serious complication. Diagnosis is usually made when patients become critically ill. Though inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood count (WBC), may contribute to an early diagnosis, their clinical roles remain unclear. The diagnostic accuracy of continuous tests depends on the choice of cut-off values. We analyzed the diagnostic accuracy of serial CRP and WBC measurements to detect infectious complications after colorectal resections. Patients and Methods  The CRP and WBC were routinely measured postoperatively in 231 consecutive patients undergoing colorectal resection. Clinical outcome was registered with regard to postoperative complications. The diagnostic accuracy of CRP and WBC was analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis with intra- and extraabdominal infectious complications as the outcome. Results  Increased CRP levels on postoperative day (POD) 3 were associated with intraabdominal infections. The best cut-off value was 190 (sensitivity, 0.82; specificity, 0.73). The area under the ROC curve was 0.82. On POD 5 and 7, the diagnostic accuracy of CRP was similar. Conclusion  Serial CRP measurements are helpful for detecting intraabdominal infections after colorectal resection. Persistently elevated CRP values after POD 3 should be investigated for intraabdominal infection. There is no funding source to disclose. The results were presented in part as a poster at the 2nd Annual Meeting of the European Society of Coloproctology, Lisboa, 2006.     

Diagnostic Value of Synovial White Blood Cell Count and Serum C-Reactive Protein for Acute Periprosthetic Joint Infection After Knee Arthroplasty

Background

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains difficult, particularly in acute postoperative stage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimal cutoff value of synovial white blood cell (WBC) count, percentage of polymorphonuclear cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) for diagnosing early postoperative infection after knee joint arthroplasty.

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??Predictive value of procalcitonin for postoperative surgical site infection after definitive operation of intestinal fistula REN Hua-jian??LI Guan-wei??WANG Ge-fei??et al. Research Institute of General Surgery??Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command??PLA, Nanjing 210002??China
Corresponding author??REN Jian-an??E-mail??jan@medmail.com.cn
Abstract Objective To explore the predictive value of dynamic testing procalcitonin (PCT) in postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) after definitive operation of intestinal fistula. Methods Definitive reconstruction operation of digestive tract was performed in 62 patients with intestinal fistula between February 2012 and October 2013 in Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Military Command. Patients with and without SSI were classified as infection group (22 cases) and normal group (40 group). PCT level??C-reactive protein level and white blood cell count were assessed preoperatively and on the 1st??3rd??5th and 7th day postoperatively. The relationship between PCT value and SSI after operation was evaluated. Results The median time when SSIs were diagnosed clinically was 6.1 days after surgery. PCT values in infection group were signi?cantly higher than those in normal group on postoperative 3rd and 5th day (P<0.05). C-reactive protein levels on postoperative 7th day in infection group were higher than those in normal group (P<0.05). White blood cell counts on postoperative 5th, 7th day in infection group were higher than those in normal group (P<0.05). Receiver-operating characteristics demonstrated that PCT had the highest diagnostic accuracy with a value more than 0.97 μg/L on postoperative 3rd day. The area under the curve (AUC) of PCT for SSI was 0.83 with 77.3% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis??PCT level more than 0.97 μg/L on postoperative 3rd day was a signi?cant predictor for postoperative SSI on with an odds ratio of 27.76 (95% CI=6.17??124.90??P<0.001). Conclusion The dynamic change of PCT is valuable to predict the occurrence of SSI after definitive operation of intestinal fistula.     

Utility of the continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring in the prevention of the recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis during thyroid surgery. A prospective observational study

BackgroundThe continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (C-IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) could help reducing the incidence of nerve paralysis after thyroid surgery, in comparison with the mere anatomical visualization of the RLN. The objective is to assess the efficacy and utility of C-IONM as a predictive test for recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroidectomy.MethodsA prospective observational study was performed in 248 patients who underwent thyroid surgery where C-IONM was applied, between September 2018 and December 2019, in a high-volume center. A previous and later laryngoscopy was performed, which allowed to evaluate the reliability of the C-IONM as a predictive test for recurrent paralysis. Sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) were studied.ResultsA total number of 171 thyroidectomies, 62 hemithyroidectomies, 15 totalization thyroidectomies and 27 thyroidectomy with cervical dissections were performed. Postoperative laryngoscopy was altered in 40 patients (16.12%). The SE, SP, PPV and NPV values ​​were 65%, 94.7%, 70.2% and 93.4% respectively.ConclusionsC-IONM is a safe technique that provides real-time information about anatomical and functional integrity of the RLN and can improve the results of thyroid surgery.     

Immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergies among adults with allergic rhinitis

Objective

To compare the prevalence of food allergy for peanut, shrimp, and milk in adults with allergic rhinitis and to determine predictive values of these allergens and total immunoglobulin E (IgE) to detect food allergies.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.

Subjects and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed in vitro enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of adults with rhinitis. Subjects were tested for nine inhalants and three foods (peanut, shrimp, milk) and total IgE. Subjects with food allergy history were tested with additional foods. The sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the allergens and total IgE to detect food allergies were calculated.

Results

A total of 283 subjects received in vitro tests. Forty-one percent tested negative and 59 percent tested positive for inhalants. The prevalence of subjects with a positive peanut or shrimp allergy in the inhalant-positive population was significantly greater than subjects with milk allergy (23.4% peanut [P = 0.008], 22.2% shrimp [P = 0.001], and 13.2% milk [P = 0.008], P = 0.001). For subjects with food allergy history, peanut had the best SP (100.0%), SE (28.1%), PPV (100.0%), and NPV (64.6%) in detecting allergies to other foods. In patients positive for the initial panel (inhalants and peanut), the SP, SE, PPV, and NPV of elevated total IgE was 71.4, 72.4, 77.8, and 65.2 percent, respectively.

Conclusion

Peanut and shrimp were the most common foods encountered in adults with allergic rhinitis. Peanut was best in predicting other food allergies. Total IgE levels with inhalants plus peanut provided the optimal combination of SE, SP, PPV, and NPV. In vitro testing may be important to identify and prevent anaphylaxis to foods in adults.     

Evaluation of serum procalcitonin concentration in the ICU following severe burn

The goal of the study was to analyse plasma procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations during infectious events of burns in ICU. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at admission and twice a week in burned patients admitted with a total body surface area (TBSA) >20%. Procalcitonin was determined using both a semi-quantitative detection (PCT-Q) and a quantitative immunoluminometric method (PCT-Lumi). A total of 359 time points in 25 consecutive patients with 40+/-17% (20-86%) TBSA burned, defined as a procalcitonin concentration associated with an inflammatory status according to society critical care medicine definition, were made. The principal site of infection was the respiratory tract (84% of patients required mechanical ventilation). PCT-Lumi values corresponded to the four semi-quantitative ranges of PCT-Q and statistically reflected the simultaneously observed inflammatory status (Kruskall-Wallis test). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for C-reactive protein (CRP) was higher than those for PCT and white blood cell (WBC) count, but this difference was not significant. The optimum PCT cut-off value was 0.534 ng/ml with sensitivity and specificity of 42.4% and 88.8%, respectively. However, PCT does not appear to be superior to C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood count (WBC) as diagnosis marker of sepsis in burns. PCT is not sufficient to diagnose and to follow infection in burns admitted in ICU.     

Comparison of WBC, ESR, CRP and PCT serum levels in septic and non-septic burn cases

Diagnosis of sepsis is difficult, particularly in cases of burn where signs of sepsis may be present in the absence of a real infection. This study compared serum levels of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) among 60 burned people with and without infection, in order to assess the value of the information for diagnosis of sepsis. A significantly higher PCT level was observed in the septic group compared to those without sepsis (8.45+/-7.8 vs. 0.5+/-1.0, respectively, p<0.001); no significant differences were found in CRP or WBC levels, neutrophil count or ESR. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve in the diagnosis of sepsis was 0.97 for PCT (p<0.001) with sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.3%. Non-survivors had a mean PCT level significantly higher than that of survivors. Thus the serum PCT level was a highly efficient laboratory parameter for the diagnosis of severe infectious complications after burn, but WBC, neutrophil, ESR and CRP levels were of little value.     

Procalcitonin for the early prediction of renal parenchymal involvement in children with UTI: preliminary results

In order to establish the most reliable marker for distinguishing urinary tract infections (UTI) with and without renal parenchymal involvement (RPI), we recorded the clinical features and admission leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum procalcitonin (PCT) in 57 children (including 43 girls) aged 2–108 months admitted with a first episode of UTI. RPI was evaluated by Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scintigraphy within 7 days of admission. To establish cut-off points for ESR, CRP, and PCT, we used receiver operating characteristics curves and compared the area under the curve for ESR, CRP, and PCT. Twenty-seven children were diagnosed as having RPI based on positive renal scintigraphy. A body temperature of >38°C, a history of diarrhea, and poor oral intake were more common in patients with RPI. ESR, CRP, and PCT, but not leukocyte count, were significantly higher in patients with RPI (P < 0.001). PCT was more sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of upper versus lower UTI than ESR and CRP. Using a cut-off value of 0.85 ng/ml, PCT had the best performance, with sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of 89%, 97%, 96%, and 91% respectively. Serum PCT is a better marker than ESR, CRP, and leukocyte count for the early prediction of RPI in children with a first episode of UTI.