Prospective Observational Study to Determine Kinetics of Procalcitonin in Hospitalized Children Receiving Antibiotic Therapy for Non-Critical Acute Bacterial Infections

Abstract

Introduction: The kinetics of procalcitonin in pediatric patients with non-critical acute bacterial infections receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy are not well described. Methods: We performed a single-center, prospective observational pilot study of children admitted to a tertiary care children's hospital who were receiving antibiotics for treatment of a non-critical acute bacterial infection, and we prospectively measured serial procalcitonin levels daily for 4 days during hospitalization. Results: Among the 46 children with baseline procalcitonin levels enrolled in the study, procalcitonin kinetics followed a half-life of approximately 24 h in most patients. Procalcitonin declined faster than C-reactive protein over the first 48 h of appropriate antibiotic treatment. There was variation in biomarker levels among participants with the same infection type, especially in participants with bacteremia, musculoskeletal infection and skin/soft tissue infection. Conclusion: Utility of procalcitonin as a biomarker to follow every 24-48 h in non-critically ill children receiving antibiotic therapy for bacterial infections as an objective measure of clinical improvement is promising.

Prognostic value of post-operative serum procalcitonin in gastric adenocarcinoma patients undergoing radical gastrectomy: propensity score matching analysis of extended cohort from a prospective bi-center study

“…The PCT concentration is considered to be an accurate predictor for systemic inflammation, especially for the diagnosis of bacterial infections [8][9][10][11]. In patients with bacterial infection, PCT levels increased 2-4 h following bacterial stimulus and peaked at 12-24 h, with a half-life about 24 h [28]. But in patients receiving elective colorectal surgery, PCT levels reached peak at POD 2 and a subsequent decrease in the following 2 days [29].…”

Monitoring of sepsis by HNL Dimer in plasma and the comparison with current biomarkers

“…In addition, there is a need for a better monitoring tool to improve the e ciency of the treatment as the biomarkers currently used are not rapid enough to closely follow the development of the condition i.e. the blood biomarkers CRP, White blood cell counts, Procalcitonin (PCT) or Heparin-Binding Protein (HBP) (Azurocidin) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. One consequence of the ine cient use of antibiotics in sepsis is the development of anti-microbial resistance (AMR).…”