Sputum procalcitonin: a potential biomarker in stable bronchiectasis

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Biomarker Research
• Respiratory Diseases

Background:

• Sputum procalcitonin is elevated during bronchiectasis exacerbations.
• The role of sputum procalcitonin in stable bronchiectasis requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare sputum procalcitonin levels in stable bronchiectasis patients versus healthy controls.
• To evaluate differences between spontaneous and induced sputum procalcitonin.
• To assess the repeatability of sputum procalcitonin measurements.

Main Methods:

• Observational study including 30 bronchiectasis patients and 15 healthy controls.
• Sputum samples (spontaneous and induced) collected at two visits, one week apart.
• Procalcitonin concentrations measured in sputum samples.

Main Results:

• Induced sputum procalcitonin was significantly higher in bronchiectasis patients (1.5 ng·mL⁻¹) than in controls (0.4 ng·mL⁻¹).
• Spontaneous sputum showed higher procalcitonin levels than induced sputum in bronchiectasis patients at both visits.
• Sputum procalcitonin measurements demonstrated good repeatability over a one-week period.

Conclusions:

• Sputum procalcitonin is elevated in stable bronchiectasis patients.
• Sputum procalcitonin shows potential as a biomarker for airway inflammation and infection in bronchiectasis.