Application of PCT, CRP and WBC levels in the differential diagnosis of
acute bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal respiratory tract infections
Abstract
Objective There is a lack of studies comparing Procalcitonin (PCT),
C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) levels in the
differential diagnosis of acute bacterial, viral, and mycoplasmal
respiratory infections. It is necessary to explore the correlation
between above markers and different types of acute respiratory tract
infections (ARTI). Methods 108 children with confirmed bacterial
infection were regarded as group A, 116 children with virus infection
were regarded as group B, and 122 children with mycoplasma infection
were regarded as group C. The levels of PCT, CRP and WBC of the three
groups were detected and compared. Results The levels of PCT, CRP and
WBC in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B and C (P
<0.05). The positive rate of combined detection of PCT, CRP
and WBC was significantly higher than that of single detection. There
was no significant difference of PCT, CRP and WBC levels between the
group of Gram-positive (G+) bacteria infection and Gram-negative (G-)
bacteria infection (P >0.05). ROC curve results showed that
the area under the curve (AUC) of PCT, CRP and WBC for the diagnosis of
bacterial respiratory infections were 0.65, 0.55, and 0.58,
respectively. Conclusions PCT, CRP and WBC can be used as effective
indicators for the identification of acute bacterial or no-bacterial
infections in children. The levels of PCT and CRP have higher
differential diagnostic value than that of WBC in infection, and the
combined examination of the three is more valuable in clinic.