Procalcitonin-A Marker of Sepsis

Abstract

Background: Sepsis remains a significant health concern, particularly in resource-limited regions like Bangladesh. Despite available diagnostic methods, identifying bacterial infections in septic patients proves challenging, prompting the exploration of biomarkers. Procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a promising biomarker for bloodstream infections like sepsis. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the utility of measuring serum PCT levels in diagnosing and assessing the severity of sepsis, with a focus on enhancing early treatment in intensive care units (ICUs). Method: A prospective study was conducted on 50 patients admitted to the Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka ICU, exhibiting clinical manifestations of sepsis between April and September 2015. Patients of all ages and genders were included, while those with recent major surgery, trauma, or burn history were excluded. Detailed clinical assessments and laboratory investigations were performed, with data recorded on a standardized proforma. Result: Of the 50 patients evaluated, 64% were male, and 36% were female, with a mean age of 56.11±10.89 years. Sepsis was more prevalent in patients aged >50 years (60%) and in males (64%). Respiratory tract infection (RTI) was the most common source of sepsis (40% of cases), with Klebsiella pneumonia being the predominant organism. Higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores correlated significantly with elevated serum PCT concentrations. Serum PCT demonstrated a significant difference between non-septic and septic groups (p-value <0.001), exhibiting sensitivity and specificity of 91% and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum PCT emerges as a promising marker for sepsis in critically ill patients, enhancing diagnostic certainty and informing patient management. Its addition to routine work-ups could improve outcomes and patient care in ICUs.