Correlation of serum C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels in infections of kidney transplant recipients

Authors : Nurettin AY, Melih ANİL, Vahhac ALP, Safak KAYA, Neslihan CİCEK, Ozgur ARSLAN

Pages : 135-139

Doi:10.18621/eurj.291746

View : 20 | Download : 13

Publication Date : 2017-07-04

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objectives. Procalcitonin is a propeptide of calcitonin and has been increasingly used as a biomarker of infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate correlation of serum C-reactive protein insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CRP); and procalcitonin insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PCT); levels of kidney transplant patients hospitalized due to infection. Methods. There were 121 patients who had kidney transplant in our center between September 2012 and February 2017 and patients with a diagnosis of infection or rejection were included in the study. Simultaneous 106 serum CRP and PCT levels at the beginning or during any time of treatment for post-transplant infection, cytomegalovirus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CMV); positivity, BK virem ia and rejection were evaluated. Results. Median and interquartile ranges of CRP and PCT serum levels were 40 mg/l [24.7-64.9] and 0.19 ng/ml [0.1-0.61], respectively. A significant positive correlation between serum CRP and PCT levels of the patients were observed insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(r=0.490, p <0.001);. When serum CRP levels were grouped as <50 mg/l, 50-100 mg/l and >100 mg/l, correlations with serum PCT levels were as r=0.461 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p <0.001);, r=-0.52 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p =0.860); and r=0.488 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values( p =0.153);, respectively . Serum levels of PCT did not increase in CMV and BK virus infections and rejection. Conclusions. Serum CRP and PCT levels were correlated as a whole in the study, whereas serum CRP levels of 50-100 mg/l and >100 mg/l did not show a statistically significant correlation. Stability of PCT levels in viral infections and rejections might be an advantage for the follow-up of solid organ transplants. We need prospective trials of PCT measurements for the evaluation of post-transplant infections. 
Keywords : C reactive protein, procalcitonin, correlation, kidney transplantation