Value of measuring serum procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and mannan antigens to distinguish fungal from bacterial infections

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2005 Apr;24(4):272-5. doi: 10.1007/s10096-005-1312-z.

Abstract

The study presented here was conducted to determine the diagnostic value of measuring procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and mannan antigens to distinguish fungal from bacterial infections. The sensitivity and specificity of these measurements ranged from 35% to 97%. On days 1 and 3 following the onset of fever, both serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein levels were lower in patients with fungal infections than in those with bacterial infections (p<0.0001). The presence of mannan antigens combined with a procalcitonin level <0.5 ng/ml provided higher specificity for distinguishing fungal from bacterial infections than each result alone.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens / blood
  • Bacterial Infections / diagnosis*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Calcitonin / blood*
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mannans / blood*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses / diagnosis*
  • Protein Precursors / blood*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antigens
  • CALCA protein, human
  • Mannans
  • Protein Precursors
  • Calcitonin
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide