Diagnostic importance of serum C-reactive protein and procalcitonin in sepsis after burn

In this study, we investigated the usefulness of blood white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Procalcitonin (PCT) levels with a clinical diagnosis of infection in patients with severe burns, with a bacterial culture (+) wound site, in patients with SIRS and sepsis.

In the study, 23 patients with (+) burn wound culture hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital Burn Center burn between January 2016 and January 2021 were analyzed. While five of these patients were showing symptoms of SIRS. Sepsis was observed in five patients.

From 23 patients, 18 (78.3%) were male, and 5 (21.7%) were female. The majority of our patients were lived in rural areas. The average age of patients was 1,061±17,273 years. The wound culture results of the 23 patients were (+), mostly due to Staphylococcus aureus in 21.7% (n=5) and Staphylococcus epidermidis in 21.7% (n=5). PCT and CRP results did not statistically differ in patients with sepsis, SIRS and (+) wound culture.

The laboratory biomarkers WBC, CRP and PCT do not have a superior value in determining and monitoring infection processes in patients with serious burns.