Procalcitonin (PCT) levels can distinguish between infectious and non-infectious systemic inflammatory response. However, there are some differences between Gram-negative (G-), Gram-positive (G+), and fungal bloodstream infections, particularly in different cytokine profiles, severity and mortality. The aim of current study was to examine whether PCT levels can serve as a distinguishing mark between G+, G-, and fungal sepsis as well. One hundred and sixty-six septic patients with positive blood cultures were examined on C-reactive protein (CRP) and PCT on the same date of blood culture evaluation. The median (interquartile range, IQR) of CRP and PCT in G+, G-, and fungal cohorts and comparison of measured values between groups were made using the Kruskal-Wallis test with subsequent Bonferroni's corrections, with p < 0.05. In 83/166 (50 %) of blood cultures, G+ microbes, 78/166 (47 %) G- rods, and 5/166 (3 %) fungi were detected. PCT concentrations (ng/ml) were significantly higher in G- compared to other cohorts: 8.90 (1.88; 32.60) in G-, 0.73 (0.22; 3.40) in G+, and 0.58 (0.35; 0.73) in fungi (p < 0.00001). CRP concentrations did not differ significantly in groups. Significantly higher PCT levels could differentiate G- sepsis from G+ and fungemia. In contrast to CRP, PCT is a good discriminative biomarker in different bloodstream infections.

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Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is characterized by blood-retina barrier breakdown induced by local changes in the retina and systemic factors. We investigated vitreous and serum levels of glucose and uric acid (UA) in patients with DR and aimed to describe their correlation with the grade of DR. Methods: Prospective study of 81 patients with DR and 48 non-diabetic controls. Biochemical analysis of vitreous and serum samples was performed. Results: UA and glucose concentrations in vitreous and serum were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in controls. Absolute ratios (vitreous level/serum level) of UA and glucose were higher in proliferative compared with non-proliferative DR. Conclusions: The results suggest that, apart from glucose, increased levels of UA in diabetic patients may also be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of DR.