Related Experiment Videos
Serum procalcitonin in cerebral ventriculitis
Christian Berger1, Stefan Schwarz, Wolf R Schaebitz
1Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Critical Care Medicine
|August 7, 2002
Summary
Serum procalcitonin levels are significantly elevated in patients with bacterial ventriculitis following external ventricular drain placement. This biomarker aids in diagnosing bacterial infections when cerebrospinal fluid analysis is compromised by contamination.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Disease
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- External ventricular drains (EVDs) are crucial for managing various neurological conditions.
- Diagnosing bacterial ventriculitis can be challenging due to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contamination.
- Blood contamination in CSF is common after EVD insertion or due to underlying conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if serum procalcitonin (PCT) is elevated in patients with bacterial ventriculitis after EVD insertion.
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of PCT in bacterial ventricular infections.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 34 patients requiring temporary EVDs.
- Daily measurements of serum procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and white blood cell count.
- Regular CSF analysis including cell count, lactate, glucose, and cultures.
Main Results:
- Serum procalcitonin was significantly higher in patients with proven bacterial ventriculitis (4.7 vs. 0.2 ng/mL).
- CSF cell count was not reliable for distinguishing bacterial from abacterial infections due to blood contamination.
- Positive CSF cultures confirmed bacterial infection.
Conclusions:
- Serum procalcitonin is a valuable biomarker for diagnosing bacterial ventriculitis in patients with EVDs.
- Elevated PCT levels can help overcome diagnostic uncertainty caused by CSF contamination.
- PCT offers improved diagnostic precision for bacterial ventricular infections.