Evaluation of systemic inflammatory and fibrosis indices in Saprochaete capitata infections: a retrospective case-control study

Abstract

Objectives Evaluation of inflammation and liver fibrosis by using well established indices of serum biomarkers in hepatitis caused by viral agents has been reported in recent studies. But the diagnostic performance and prediction of liver damage in S. capitata infections has not yet been reported. The aim of the current study was to investigate the levels of systemic inflammatory indices based on liver enzymes and platelets, their effectiveness in detecting S. capitata infection and its degree of damage to the liver. Methods We investigated the diagnostic performance of seven serum inflammation and fibrosis markers as fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score, AST/platelet ratio (APRI), AST/ALT ratio (De Ritis ratio), albumin/ALP ratio (AAR), platelet/albumin ratio (PAR), pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV) and GGT/platelet ratio (GPR) in total 62 S. capitata infected patients using cut-offs through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Results Area under the curve of FIB-4 score was statistically significantly higher than ones of De Ritis ratio, AAR, PIV, APR, GPR, APRI index in determining liver damage in patients with S. capitata. The optimal cut off point for FIB-4 score was defined that the levels above 27.57 for FIB-4 score may be used for the diagnosis of S. capitata with 89 % of sensitivity and 91 % of specificity. Conclusions Serum fibrosis and immune-inflammation indices are independent, useful predictors, and FIB4 score is superior to the others in the diagnosis of inflammation and liver damage in S. capitata. These biomarkers may also be useful to specialists to follow up on the medical processes of these patients.