Soluble CD14 subtype (sCD14-ST) is a biomarker for neonatal sepsis

This prospective observational study evaluated soluble CD14 subtype (sCD14-ST) as an early diagnosis and monitoring biomarker for neonatal sepsis in controls, patients with sepsis, or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). sCD14-ST, procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC), and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE-II) score were evaluated before and after therapy. sCD14-ST levels were significantly higher in sepsis than in SIRS, and higher in SIRS than controls. Treatment significantly decreased sCD14-ST, APACHE-II, PCT, CRP, and WBC. sCD14-ST levels correlated with APACHE-II before and after therapy, and with PCT before therapy (r=0.201, P=0.05). The receiver operating characteristic area under the curve of sCD14-ST was 0.958. A 304.5 pg/mL cutoff value was associated with 95.8% sensitivity and 84.9% specificity. sCD14-ST had superior diagnostic power for neonatal sepsis than the other indicators. In conclusion, sCD14-ST is a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis and monitoring of neonatal sepsis.