Procalcitonin as a Marker of Etiology in Adults Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent trials suggest procalcitonin-based guidelines can reduce antibiotic use for respiratory infections. However, the accuracy of procalcitonin to discriminate between viral and bacterial pneumonia requires further dissection.

Methods

We evaluated the association between serum procalcitonin concentration at hospital admission with pathogens detected in a multicenter prospective surveillance study of adults hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. Systematic pathogen testing included cultures, serology, urine antigen tests, and molecular detection. Accuracy of procalcitonin to discriminate between viral and bacterial pathogens was calculated.

Results

Among 1735 patients, pathogens were identified in 645 (37%), including 169 (10%) with typical bacter

SUBMITTER: Self WH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5850442 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature