This study determined prognostic factors by comparing clinico-bacterial factors based on significant elevated serum procalcitonin levels in patients with suspected bloodstream infection (BSI). We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 1,052 patients (age ≥16 years) with fever (temperature ≥38°C) and serum procalcitonin levels of ≥2.0 ng/mL, and blood culture results. The optimal cutoff value of the significant elevation of procalcitonin was determined using the minimum P-value approach. Clinico-bacterial factors were analyzed per the procalcitonin levels, and significant independent factors for short-term survival were investigated in 445 patients with BSI. Patients with suspected BSI were aged, on average, 72.3 ± 15.1 years, and the incidence of positive blood culture was 42.3%; and the 14-day survival was 83.4%. Procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL was the most significant predictor for survival. Multivariate analysis in patients with suspected BSI showed that estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL were significant independent unfavorable prognostic factors. Microorganisms were similar between patients with procalcitonin level 2-99 ng/mL (n=359) and those with ≥100 ng/mL (n=86). Multivariate analysis in patients with BSI showed that eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL, and primary infectious foci were significant independent prognostic factors. Patients with foci in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system had unfavorable 14-day survival. In conclusions, eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 and procalcitonin ≥100 ng/mL were significant independent unfavorable prognostic factors for suspected BSI. Primary infectious foci (gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system) were associated with unfavorable short-term survival in patients with positive blood culture.
Keywords: blood culture; bloodstream infection; procalcitonin; renal function; survival.