scholarly journals A study on validity of C-reactive protein in deciding the duration of antibiotic therapy in suspected neonatal bacterial infection

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prashanth Siddaiah ◽  
Pradeep Nanjappa Shetty ◽  
Krishna N. W. ◽  
Sowmya Jagadeeshwara

Background: Neonatal septicemia is defined as generalized bacterial infection of newborns documented by positive blood culture in first four weeks of life. Objective of present study was to determine whether C-Reactive protein can be used as a parameter to identify the time point when antibiotic treatment can safely be discontinued in a defined major subgroup of neonates treated for suspected bacterial infection.Methods: A total of 50 neonates with birth weight more than 1500gms with suspected septicemia were enrolled in the prospective study. Serum CRP were determined 24-48 hours after the first dose of antibiotics. If CRP was less than 6mg/l, infants were considered unlikely to be infected and the antibiotic treatment was stopped. If CRP was more than 6mg/l, antibiotics were continued and CRP measured on alternative days in one subgroup (2a) and on seventh day in another subgroup (2b). CRP was the single decision criterion to stop the antibiotic therapy. Negative predictive value with respect to further treatment was determined.Results: Duration of antibiotic therapy could be reduced to less than seven days in 54% cases and < 72 hours in 48% cases.Conclusions: Negative predictive value of serial CRP is 100% in deciding the duration of antibiotic therapy in suspected neonatal septicemia.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Nascimento Borges ◽  
Rafael Carneiro ◽  
Rafael Bergo ◽  
Larissa Martins ◽  
Enrico Colosimo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The rational use of antibiotics is one of the main strategies to limit the development of bacterial resistance . We therefore sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a C reactive protein-based protocol in reducing antibiotic treatment time in critically ill patients.Methods: A randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial conducted in two intensive care units of a university hospital in Brazil. Critically ill infected adult patients were randomly allocated to: i) intervention to receive antibiotics guided by daily monitoring of CRP levels, and ii) control to receive antibiotics according to the best practices for rational use of antibiotics.Results : 130 patients were included in the CRP (n=64) and control (n=66) groups. In the intention to treat analysis, the median duration of antibiotic therapy for the index infectious episode was 7.0 (5.0-8.8) days in the CRP and 7.0 (7.0-11.3) days in the control (p = 0.011) groups. A significant difference in the treatment time between the two groups was identified in the curve of cumulative suspension of antibiotics, with less exposure in the CRP group (p = 0.007). In the per protocol analysis, involving 59 patients in each group, the median duration of antibiotic treatment was 6.0 (5.0-8.0) days for the CRP and 7.0 (7.0- 10.0) days for the control (p = 0.011) groups. Conclusions: Daily monitoring of CRP levels may aid in the reduction of antibiotic treatment time of critically ill patients, even in a scenario of judicious use of antimicrobials. Trial Registry : ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02987790. Registered 09 December 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02987790 .


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
Pradeep Chandra Sharma ◽  

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical condition and the most common cause of acute surgical abdomen. Commonly used tests for diagnosis of acute appendicitis were WBC, CRP ESR and procalcitonin (PCT) levels. In present study we correlated the serum levels of CRP with the histopathology of the removed appendix, to study predictive value of serum C- reactive protein in diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Material and Methods:Present study was conducted in patients with possibility of acute appendicitis, underwent appendicectomy. The histopathology report was considered as the final diagnosis. CRP more than 6 mg/dl was considered to be positive. Results: In present study total 88 patients were included. Male to female ratio was 1.4:1, most common age group was 21-30 years (35.23%) followed by 31-40 years (27.27%). Abdominal pain (92.05%), McBurney tenderness (80.68%), vomiting (76.14%), rebound tenderness (67.05%) and fever (55.68%) were common signs and symptoms noted in present study. On histopathology examination, inflammed appendix (51.14%) was most common finding, others were gangrenous appendix (23.86%), perforated appendix (5.68%) and normal appendix (19.32%). In present study diagnostic efficacy of serum CRP was sensitivity (80%), specificity (84.62%), positive predictive value (96.77%), negative predictive value (42.31%), diagnostic accuracy (80.68%). Conclusion. Serum CRP estimation is useful adjunct in diagnosis of acute appendicitis along with clinical diagnosis. Serum CRP value should be interpreted in combination with clinical findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascale Bémer ◽  
Céline Bourigault ◽  
Anne Jolivet-Gougeon ◽  
Chloé Plouzeau-Jayle ◽  
Carole Lemarie ◽  
...  

Abstract. Introduction: The diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) can be difficult in the chronic stage and is based on clinical and paraclinical evidence. A minimally invasive serological test against the main pathogens encountered during PJI would distinguish PJI from mechanical loosening.Methods: We performed a prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional study to assess the contribution of serology in the diagnosis of PJI. Over a 2-year period, all patients undergoing prosthesis revision were included in the study. A C-reactive protein assay and a serological test specifically designed against 5 bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, S. lugdunensis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Cutibacterium acnes) were performed preoperatively. Five samples per patient were taken intraoperatively during surgery. The diagnosis of PJI was based on clinical and bacteriological criteria according to guidelines.Results: Between November 2015 and November 2017, 115 patients were included, 49 for a chronic PJI and 66 for a mechanical problem. Among patients with PJI, a sinus tract was observed in 32.6% and a C-reactive protein level ≥10 mg/L in 74.5%. The PJI was monomicrobial in 43 cases (targeted staphylococci, 24; S. agalactiae, 1; C. acnes, 2; others, 16), and polymicrobial in 6 cases (12.2%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 75.0%, 82.1%, 58.3% and 90.8%, respectively, for targeted staphylococci. Specificity/negative predictive value was 97.3%/100% for S. agalactiae and 83.8% /96.9% for C. acnes.Conclusions: The serological tests are insufficient to affirm the diagnosis of PJI for the targeted bacteria. Nevertheless, the excellent NPV may help clinicians to exclude PJI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Vassallo ◽  
Celine Michelangeli ◽  
Roxane Fabre ◽  
Sabrina Manni ◽  
Pierre L. Genillier ◽  
...  

Objectives: The roles of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in febrile cancer patients is currently unclear. Our aim was to assess these in febrile patients with solid tumors and to identify cut-off values for ruling out infection.Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients with solid tumors admitted to hospital due to fever. They were divided into those with Fever with microbiologically documented infection (FMDI), Fever with clinically documented infection (FCDI) and Tumor-related fever (TRF). PCT and CRP levels were compared. Receiver-operating curves were plotted to define the best cut-off values for discriminating between infection-related and cancer-related fever.Results: Between January 2015 to November 2018, 131 patients were recorded (mean age 68 years, 67% male, 86% with metastasis). Patients with FMDI or FCDI had significantly higher baseline levels of PCT and lower CRP/PCT than those with TRF. A PCT cut-off value of 0.52 ng/mL for discriminating between infection and cancer-associated fever yielded 75% sensitivity, 55% specificity, 77% positive predictive value (PPV), and 52% negative predictive value (NPV). A CRP/PCT ratio with a cut-off value of 95 showed 56% sensitivity, 70% specificity, 79% NPV, and 44% PPV.Discussion: PCT is a sensitive marker of sepsis or localized infection in patients with solid tumors, but its specificity is poor. The CRP/PCT ratio improves specificity, thus providing a reliable means of ruling out infection for values above 95.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (02) ◽  
pp. 072-078
Author(s):  
Senem Alkan Ozdemir ◽  
Ruya Colak ◽  
Ezgi Yangin Ergon ◽  
Sebnem Calkavur

Abstract Objective Noninvasive markers have been increasingly used as a diagnostic marker for sepsis detection and monitoring of the disease. The aim of this observational, prospective pilot study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of urinary soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1) and urine C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the late onset neonatal sepsis and to compare them with serum CRP levels. Materials and Methods Sixty-six infants with clinical sepsis were included. Urine sTREM-1 and urine CRP were collected at the diagnosis of late-onset sepsis. All laboratory investigations were also noted from the infants. Results There were no significant differences between characteristics of the infants. Culture-positive neonates had significantly higher urine sTREM-1 than culture-negative neonates (p < 0.001). Using a cut-off point for urine sTREM-1 of 129 pg/mL, the sensitivity was 0.63, the specificity was 0.84, positive predictive value was 0.80, negative predictive value was 0.70. Urine sTREM-1 and urine CRP were recollected on the seventh day of sepsis treatment and it was found that the levels of sTREM-1 and CRP decreased. Conclusion This is the first study in the literature which evaluates the place of urine sTREM-1 and urine CRP in the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Urine sTREM-1 and urine CRP may be useful in the diagnosis of sepsis and in evaluating the effect of antibiotic treatment.


Infection ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabell Pink ◽  
David Raupach ◽  
Jan Fuge ◽  
Ralf-Peter Vonberg ◽  
Marius M. Hoeper ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread around the world. Differentiation between pure viral COVID-19 pneumonia and secondary infection can be challenging. In patients with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) on admission physicians often decide to prescribe antibiotic therapy. However, overuse of anti-infective therapy in the pandemic should be avoided to prevent increasing antimicrobial resistance. Procalcitonin (PCT) and CRP have proven useful in other lower respiratory tract infections and might help to differentiate between pure viral or secondary infection. Methods We performed a retrospective study of patients admitted with COVID-19 between 6th March and 30th October 2020. Patient background, clinical course, laboratory findings with focus on PCT and CRP levels and microbiology results were evaluated. Patients with and without secondary bacterial infection in relation to PCT and CRP were compared. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the best discriminating cut-off value of PCT and CRP with the corresponding sensitivity and specificity was calculated. Results Out of 99 inpatients (52 ICU, 47 Non-ICU) with COVID-19, 32 (32%) presented with secondary bacterial infection during hospitalization. Patients with secondary bacterial infection had higher PCT (0.4 versus 0.1 ng/mL; p = 0.016) and CRP (131 versus 73 mg/L; p = 0.001) levels at admission and during the hospital stay (2.9 versus 0.1 ng/mL; p < 0.001 resp. 293 versus 94 mg/L; p < 0.001). The majority of patients on general ward had no secondary bacterial infection (93%). More than half of patients admitted to the ICU developed secondary bacterial infection (56%). ROC analysis of highest PCT resp. CRP and secondary infection yielded AUCs of 0.88 (p < 0.001) resp. 0.86 (p < 0.001) for the entire cohort. With a PCT cut-off value at 0.55 ng/mL, the sensitivity was 91% with a specificity of 81%; a CRP cut-off value at 172 mg/L yielded a sensitivity of 81% with a specificity of 76%. Conclusion PCT and CRP measurement on admission and during the course of the disease in patients with COVID-19 may be helpful in identifying secondary bacterial infections and guiding the use of antibiotic therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 3002
Author(s):  
Abhirup H. Ramu ◽  
Priyanka Kenchetty ◽  
Aishwarya K. Chidananda

Background: Appendicectomy for suspected acute appendicitis is a common procedure. The rate of normal appendices unnecessarily removed remains high despite several techniques and investigations used to improve the diagnostic accuracy. This study emphasizes the value of C reactive protein (CRP) in three groups of patients operated for clinical suspicion of acute appendicitis with different finding at appendicectomy namely an un-inflamed appendix, uncomplicated acute appendicitis or complicated acute appendicitis.Methods: This prospective study was performed on 100 consecutive patients who were operated on for treatment of acute appendicitis in KVG medical college and hospital between 01 August 2019 to 01 February 2021. Clinically proven by a surgeon, patients underwent appendicectomy. Serum CRP results of all patients were determined. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated. Statistical analysis will be made using descriptive statistic and SPSS version 21 was used for analysis.Results: The percentage of negative laparotomies was 13% and surgeon ‘s clinical suspicion was true in 87%. Preoperative CRP values were false negative in 21 patients with appendicitis and false positive in 2 patients with normal appendix. The difference of true and false results between CRP tests and surgeon’s diagnosis was statistically significant (p=0.001). Present study revealed, sensitivity=76%, specificity=87.5%, positive predictive value=96% and negative predictive value=41%.Conclusions: Serum C reactive protein when elevated supports the surgeon’s clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis. It can be used frequently to diagnosis the acute appendicitis, so that the complication rate and negative laparotomies can be avoided. 


Author(s):  
Sapna Berry ◽  
Naveen Kumar ◽  
Rajeev Sood ◽  
Kalpna Negi

Introduction: Preterm prelabor rupture of the membranes (PPROM) refers to spontaneous rupture of membranes in the absence of labor pains, before 37 completed weeks of gestation. Chorioamnionitis (CAM) affects many pregnancies complicated by PPROM. Finding a serum factor that could accurately predict the presence of CAM could potentially lead to more efficient management of PPROM and improved neonatal outcomes. It has been claimed that estimation of C-reactive proteins (CRP) is helpful in the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis, and this study aims to appraise such claimsObjective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein in the detection of chorioamnionitis in women with PPROM and to test sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive valve/negative predictive value of CRP in diagnosing chorioamnionitis against histopathological examination of placenta.Method: A study conducted on total 440 antenatal women, 220 cases of PROM and 220 cases with same gestation but without PPROM used as a control. A detailed obstetrical and menstrual history was taken and systemic and local examination was done. Subjects were managed expectantly with use of tocolytics, antibiotics and steroids. Frequent vital signs monitoring and hematological investigation were done. CRP levels were determined. After delivery placenta was sent for histopathological examination for the presence of chorioamnionitis.Results: CRP appears to be the most sensitive acute phase protein; rising of less than 24 hours makes it suitable to serve as a marker for diagnosing an infection. On comparing C-reactive protein levels with other laboratory tests and indicators of infection (e.g. total leucocyte count, maternal fever, maternal tachycardia, fetal tachycardia) we found CRP level to be more sensitive (100%) but less specific (45.45%) in identifying chorioamnionitis. The positive predictive value was 31.4% and negative predictive value was 100%.Conclusion: CRP is early and reliable indicator of histopathological and clinical chorioamnionitis in comparison of TLC and clinical parameter. Thus CRP can prove useful markers in identify early and subclinical infection which could lead to premature rupture of membrane.Key-words- Preterm birth, C-reactive protein, PPROM, Chorioamnionitis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Hubaud ◽  
B Bottet ◽  
J Chenesseau ◽  
L Gust ◽  
I Bouabdallah ◽  
...  

Abstract   Anastomotic leakage is one of most severe complications after esophagectomy. There is no consensus on the best method of identification of such complications. Serum C-reactive protein measurement on postoperative day 5 (POD) has been reported to be reliable to rule-out leakage. Methods We prospectively assessed the medical records of consecutive post-esophagectomy patients from January 2019 to January 2020. We analyzed serum CRP and complete blood cell counts from the day before surgery to the POD5. A CRP level ≤ 150 mg/l at POD5 was considered sufficient to start oral feeding. In contrast a CRP level &gt; 150 mg/l at POD5 lead to a computed tomography (CT) with oral contrast to rule-out the presence of an anastomotic leakage. Anastomotic leakage was classified according to ECCG classification. Sensibility, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive value of CRP were calculated. Results Over a 12-month period, 52 patients were included (Figure 1). Measurement of CRP on POD5 was ≤150 mg/l in 34 (64%) patients (32 without fistula and 2 with fistula diagnosed after POD5) and &gt; 150 mg/L in 18 (36%) patients (8 without fistula and 10 with fistula). Twelve (23%) patients developed anastomotic fistula. The cutoff value of CRP ≤150 mg/l on the POD5 was associated with sensitivity 83%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value 56% and negative predictive value 94%. The CRP protocol allowed to avoid 30/52 (57%) unnecessary postoperative CT-scan. Conclusion On the basis of a high negative predictive value, a CRP level at POD5 ≤ 150 mg/l can be effective to eliminate an anastomotic leakage and to start oral feeding without any further exams. This information is useful in the context of ERAS protocols to reduce hospital discharge and decrease hospital costs.


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