血清降钙素原检测对慢性重型乙型肝炎并发细菌感染的早期诊断价值

细菌感染是慢性重型乙型肝炎患者的常见并发症,也是导致患者病情加重和死亡的重要原因.慢性重型肝炎患者住院期间并发细菌感染的发生率为60％ ～ 70％,腹腔感染占首位,其次是肺部[1].研究显示,重型肝炎并发细菌感染患者的病死率明显高于非细菌感染患者[2].因此,如何早期发现并控制感染对改善重型肝炎的预后有重要的意义.降钙素原(PCT)近年来被认为是一种机体对细菌感染的全身炎症反应的特异性指标[3].血清PCT浓度的升高不仅可以判断是否存在全身细菌感染,而且可以反映感染的严重程度[4].本研究对慢性重型乙型肝炎并发细菌感染的患者进行血清PCT、C-反应蛋白(CRP)水平检测,探讨血清PCT检测对慢性重型乙型肝炎并发细菌感染的早期诊断价值.     

Differential diagnosis of bacterial infection and inflammatory response in kidney diseases using procalcitonin

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of bacterial infection in renal patients remains difficult. Common laboratory parameters, such as white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) may be affected by the underlying disease, uremia or its extracorporeal treatment, or by immunosuppressive drugs. Procalcitonin (PCT) may be useful for the detection of systemic bacterial infections in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing renal replacement therapy, but elevated PCT concentrations have also been found in a significant number of uremic patients without signs of infection. METHODS: We tested whether measurements of PCT levels help distinguish the chronic inflammation in renal diseases from invasive bacterial infections. Serum levels of PCT were compared with the corresponding serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and WBC counts in 197 patients with different stages of renal disease: Group I) 32 patients with chronic renal failure (serum creatinine 2-6 mg/dL); group II) 31 patients with a functioning renal transplant receiving standard immunosuppressive regimens; group III) 76 clinically stable patients with ESRD undergoing hemodialysis (HD); group IV) 23 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) due to systemic autoimmune disease; group V) 35 patients with proven systemic bacterial infection and CRF. RESULTS: PCT levels were within the normal range (< 0.5 ng/mL) in patients with CRF and renal transplant patients without any clinical evidence of bacterial infection, regardless of the degree of renal failure and the underlying disorders. In 22 out of 76 stable HD patients, PCT levels were above the upper limit of normal, but 97% of these values were below the proposed cut-off for chronic HD patients of < 1.5 ng/mL. CRP levels were elevated in 17 of 32 patients with CRF (mean +/- SD: 0.57 +/- 0.49 mg/dL), in 10 of 31 renal transplant patients (0.41 +/- 0.55 mg/dL), in 16 of 23 patients with autoimmune disorders (2.78 +/- 3.21 mg/dL) and in 42 of 76 patients treated by HD (0.64 +/- 0.58 mg/dL). In patients with CRF and systemic bacterial infections, both PCT and CRP were markedly elevated (PCT 61.50 +/- 115.4 ng/mL, CRP 14.50 +/- 10.36 mg/dL), but in contrast to PCT, CRP values overlapped in infected and non-infected patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that PCT levels are not significantly affected by loss of renal function, immunosuppressive agents or autoimmune disorders. Thus, significantly elevated PCT concentrations offer good sensitivity and specificity for the early diagnosis of systemic bacterial infection in patients with CRF or patients with ESRD treated by HD. CRP concentrations may be useful indicators for inflammation in patients with renal diseases, but have low specificity for the diagnosis of bacterial infection.     

血清降钙素原和血清前白蛋白检测在呼吸道感染性疾病中的应用

目的：探讨血清降钙素原（PCT）和血清前清蛋白（PA）检测在呼吸道感染性疾病诊断中的临床价值。方法选取90例经呼吸内科确诊的细菌感染患者为观察组,另选48例健康体检者为对照组。PCT和PA检测分别采用免疫发光法和比色法,测定两组血清水平,并进行统计学分析。结果观察组患者PCT水平显著高于对照组（χ2=7.512,P=0.0046）,而PA水平则低于对照组（χ2=7.126,P=0.0058）;观察组患者以上两项指标阳性率显著高于对照组（χ2=7.628,P=0.0047）。治疗1周后,观察组PCT水平显著降低,而PA水平显著升高,治疗前后差异具有统计学意义（χ2=3.629,P=0.034）。结论血清PCT和PA测定可作为呼吸道感染性疾病诊断和鉴别诊断的常规指标,对指导抗菌药物的合理使用,病情评估和疗效判断均具有重要的指导意义。     

血清降钙素原在肝硬化并发自发性腹膜炎患者诊治中的变化

目的 观察肝硬化并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎(SBP)患者的血清降钙素原(PCT)在治疗过程中的动态变化,探讨PCT对细菌性感染疾病的诊断及预后判断价值.方法 选择本院自发性腹膜炎患者55例作为治疗组,另选择病毒性肝炎患者45例作为对照组,所有患者均在入院第1、2、3、5和7天检测血清PCT水平,并将结果进行对比分析.结果 血清PCT对腹膜炎诊断的敏感性为91%,差异具有统计学意义(P< 0.05).其中治疗组患者血清PCT水平在第1天开始升高,于第3天达到高峰,之后持续下降,7例死亡患者血清PCT水平持续上升.结论 血清PCT测定对肝硬化并发自发性细菌性腹膜炎诊断及判断预后具有重要价值.     

Cerebrospinal fluid lactate and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis

The value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lactate and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) activity in the rapid diagnosis of meningitis was investigated in three groups of patients--a 'no meningitis', an aseptic meningitis and a bacterial meningitis group. The sensitivity achieved in the detection of bacterial meningitis by CSF lactate values of 2.85 mmol/l (93.8%) and 3.9 mmol/l (89.6%) was greater than that reached by conventional chemical investigations using a CSF protein value of 1 g/l (81.5%) or a CSF glucose value of 2.2 mmol/l (68.8%) as the indicator. The sensitivity of an absolute CSF LD value of 40 U/l (86.3%) in the detection of bacterial meningitis was slightly lower than that of a CSF protein value of 1 g/l (87%) and better than the sensitivity of either a CSF/serum LD ratio of 0.1:1.0 (83.9%) or a CSF glucose level of 2.2 mmol/l (76.3%). As with conventional CSF chemistry, both investigations may give normal values in the presence of bacterial meningitis.     

血清降钙素原与C反应蛋白在感染性开放性骨折诊断中的应用价值

[目的]探讨血清降钙素原(procalcitonin PCT)和C反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)试验在开放性骨折感染的鉴别诊断作用价值.[方法]对30例开放性骨折感染患者,应用免疫比浊法测定血清中PCT和CRP水平.[结果]感染组与对照组CRP水平无统计学意义,而PCT水平感染组明显高于对照组,有显著性差异(P<0.01).[结论]联合检测血清中PCT和CRP浓度对开放性骨折感染的鉴别诊断有重要临床价值,指导临床医师合理使用抗生素.     

Chronic bacterial prostatitis (NIH type II): diagnosis, therapy and influence on the fertility status

In only approximately 10% of men with symptoms of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome bacterial infection of the prostate can be demonstrated by the Meares and Stamey 4-glass or the pre- and post-prostate massage (PPM) two-glass test. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is mainly caused by Gram-negative uropathogens. The role of Gram-positives, atypicals and anaerobes is still debatable. For treatment, fluoroquinolones are considered the drugs of choice because of their favourable pharmacokinetic properties and their antimicrobial spectrum. As relapse and re-infection are a major problem in chronic bacterial prostatitis, only the results of studies with a follow up period of at least 6 months are meaningful. Analysing the concentrations of various fluoroquinolones in prostatic and seminal fluid as well as in prostatic tissue, it becomes, however, obvious that fluoroquinolones differ not only in plasma concentrations, but also in their penetration ability to these sites. Nevertheless, the concentrations at the site of infection of most fluoroquinolones with this indication should be sufficient for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis caused by susceptible pathogens. On the other hand, male accessory gland infection has been linked to male infertility. However, there is still a lack of evidence showing that bacterial prostatitis would have a negative impact on sperm quality.     

Rapid diagnosis of Brucella epididymo-orchitis by real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in urine samples

PURPOSE: We studied the diagnostic yield of a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in urine samples for the rapid diagnosis of brucella epididymo-orchitis compared to that of conventional microbiological techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used an SYBR Green I LightCycler based real-time polymerase chain reaction to retrospectively study 10 urine samples from patients with Brucella epididymo-orchitis. The assay amplifies a 223 bp sequence of a gene that codes for the synthesis of an immunogenetic membrane protein specific for Brucella genus (BCSP31). After amplifying this 223 bp sequence we performed melting curve analysis to verify the specificity of polymerase chain reaction products. RESULTS: Brucella melitensis was isolated from blood cultures in 9 cases (90%). Wright's seroagglutination was negative or inconclusive in 30% of cases. Brucella was isolated from urine in only 1 case, whereas real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in urine was positive in 9 (90%). Also, results were available in 4 hours, whereas mean time to availability of the final blood culture results was 5.8 days (range 4.5 to 7). CONCLUSIONS: SYBR Green I LightCycler based real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in urine samples is highly sensitive and specific, and easy to perform. It could provide the clinician with results in less than 5 hours. The technique could be a practical and useful tool for the rapid diagnosis of genitourinary complications of human brucellosis.     

Rapid diagnosis of gram negative pneumonia by assay of endotoxin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of ventilator associated pneumonia can be made by quantitative cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or of protected specimen brushings, though cultures require 24-48 hours to provide results. In 80% of cases aerobic Gram negative bacteria are the cause. METHODS: A rapid diagnostic method of assessing the endotoxin content of lavage fluid by Limulus assay is described. Forty samples of lavage fluid were obtained from patients with multiple trauma requiring mechanical ventilation for a prolonged period. Pneumonia was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, radiological, and bacteriological findings, including quantitative cultures of lavage fluid. RESULTS: A relation was observed between the concentration of endotoxin in lavage fluid and the quantity of Gram negative bacteria. The median endotoxin content of lavage fluid in Gram negative bacterial pneumonia was 15 endotoxin units (EU)/ml; the range observed in individual patients was 6 to > 150 EU/ml. In patients with pneumonia due to Gram positive cocci and in non-infected patients the median endotoxin level was 0.17 (range < or = 0.06 to 2) EU/ml. An endotoxin level greater than or equal to 6 EU/ml distinguished patients with Gram negative bacterial pneumonia from colonised patients and from those with pneumonia due to Gram positive cocci. CONCLUSION: The measurement of endotoxin in lavage fluid is a rapid (less than two hours) and accurate diagnostic method. It should allow specific and early treatment of Gram negative bacterial pneumonia.     

血清降钙素原在区分儿童社区获得性肺炎病原菌类型中的应用

目的探讨降钙素原在鉴别革兰阳性菌（G^＋菌）和革兰阴性菌（G^-菌）感染的儿童社区获得性肺炎（CAP）中的作用。方法以2011年1月至2012年12月于四川省人民医院诊断为儿童社区获得性肺炎的住院患者为研究对象,根据痰细菌培养结果将患儿分为G^＋菌组和G^-菌组,比较两组患儿降钙素原（PCT）、超敏C-反应蛋白（hsCRP）和白细胞（WBC）水平的差异。结果共纳入122例儿童CAP患者,其中G^＋菌感染58例,G^-菌感染64例。G^-菌感染者外周血PCT水平显著高于G^＋菌感染者（13．29±4.30ng／ml vs 7．22±1．07ng／ml,P〈0．001）,而hsCRP（12．64±6．20mg／L vs13．27±6．90mg／L,P〉0．05）和WBC计数[（11．28±4．30）×10^9／L vs（12．43±3．70）×10^9／L,P〉0．05]在两组间的分布差异无统计学意义。受试者工作曲线（ROC）分析提示,PCT=7．50ng／ml时,PCT诊断G^-菌感染儿童CAP的ROC曲线下面积为0．846,其敏感度和特异度分别为81．4％和85．6％。结论PCT对鉴别儿童CAP患者病原菌类型（G^＋菌或G^-菌）具有一定参考价值。     

Alteration of serum enzyme activity after trauma and/or bacterial infection (author's transl)]

Our clinical and experimental study is based on the evaluation of the changes in enzymatic activity produced by surgical, traumatic and infectious agression. To this end we have evaluated the activity of the transaminase (GOT-GPT), malic dehydrogenase (MDH), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). The details of our study are based on a total of 175 patients and 82 animals (dogs). Our results show that the highest rate of enzymatic activity was in proportion to the seriousness of the wound (lesion) produced. The clinical course-index developed from the activity of CPK and MDH allows us to evaluate and predetermine the course which our patients and our animals were to follow.     

Differential diagnosis between bacterial infection and neoplastic fever in patients with advanced urological cancer: The role of procalcitonin

It is difficult to determine the cause of high fever in patients with advanced cancer, because they tend to have both neoplastic fever and concomitant bacterial infections with elevated white blood cells and C‐reactive protein levels. Procalcitonin has been reported to be a valuable marker for bacterial infections in a wide range of clinical scenarios. However, there have been no studies regarding the usefulness of procalcitonin to differentiate between febrile episodes caused by bacterial infections and neoplastic fever in patients with advanced urological cancer. In the present study, 37 febrile episodes were retrospectively analyzed. Although there were no differences in white blood cell number, C‐reactive protein level or body temperature between bacterial infections and non‐bacterial infections, procalcitonin levels were significantly higher in the former than the latter. Our findings suggest that measurement of procalcitonin might be valuable to determine the cause of febrile episodes in patients with advanced urological cancer, and can help clinicians to make appropriate decisions for treatment.     

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.