Early Detection of Elevated Serum Procalcitonin Is Required as Warning Sign of Sepsis in Burn Patients

Abstract

Backgrounds: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a marker of the inflammatory response. This biomarker also plays a key role in burn injury, as it is accompanied by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Elevated level of serum PCT possibly interprets the state of inflammation and multiple organ dysfunctions (MOD) with the risk of lethal outcome.
Patients and Methods: We detected high serum PCT level associated with its warning state of inflammation in 3 adult patients. We found that each high PCT level was continued by its state of inflammation. These four patients encounter serum PCT level into more than 10 ng/ml. Sepsis was diagnosed according to American Burn Association Sepsis Criteria.
Results: High elevated PCT serum level (161.70 ng/mL) was detected on the first patient 8 days post burn injuryand died on the next 5 days. on the second patient, high PCT serum level (40.81 ng/mL) detected 9 days after burn injury and died on the next 2 days. The third patient was detected with high PCT serum level (12.28ng/mL) 2 days after burn injury was died on the next 2 days. The pediatric patient was detected with high PCT level (23.41 ng/ml)11 days after burn injury and died on the next 4 days.
Summary: We found that it is important to initiate PCT measurements in burn patients at the time of admission. Daily measurement of PCT levels is needed for an early diagnosis and treatment of burn sepsis, monitoring therapy and MOD prevention.