B. Bonac et al., Interleukin-8 and procalcitonin in early diagnosis of early severe bacterial infection in critically ill neonates, PFLUG ARCH, 440(5), 2000, pp. R72-R74
We studied the value of serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and procalcitonin (PCT)
in the early diagnosis of early severe bacterial infection in 58 critically
ill ventilated neonates. ELISA was used for determining IL-8 and immunolum
inometric assay for PCT. IL-8 and PCT were compared with routinely used ser
um C-reactive protein (CRP). Neonates were divided into four groups: Ia - p
roven severe bacterial infection (n = 9), Ib - clinical sepsis (n = 16), II
- respiratory distress without bacterial infection (n = 12), and III - var
ious types of neonatal distress (n = 21). Sera were collected on admission,
at 24 h and 48 h after admission. There was no significant difference betw
een groups Ia and Ib for either parameter at any time interval. Significant
difference was found between group Ia+b (septic neonates) and group II for
PCT and CRP at 24 and 48 h, but not for IL-8. There was no difference betw
een group Ia+b and group III except for CRP at 24 h. Diagnostic accuracy wa
s best for PCT on admission and for CRP at 24 h. Serum PCT and IL-8 are not
specific markers for early severe bacterial infection in critically ill ne
onates and are not better than CRP.