[Diagnostic value of C-reactive protein levels in children with bone marrow transplantation]

Serum quantitative C-reactive protein concentrations were measured in 16 bone marrow transplanted children at 202 occasions during and after the transplant period. Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were moderately increased in patients with viral and protozoon infections (5-67 mg/l). High values were measured in patients with bacterial and fungal infections. The C-reactive protein level was between 15-102 mg/l in Coag. neg. Staphylococcus sepsis, and 160-178 mg/l in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, when blood cultures were positive. Values of 154-358 mg/l was found with Candida sepsis. C-reactive protein levels were 10-17 mg/l in 7 acute GvHD episodes, only one of the patients had high level (325 mg/l) in GvHD. In these cases the condition was very severe and affected the total surface of the skin and the gastrointestinal tract also. C-reactive protein becomes a valuable aid as laboratory parameter in the diagnosis of bone marrow transplant recipients with suspected bacterial infection and in monitoring of therapeutic efficiency.