Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: June | Volume: 13 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 1-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230601
Diagnostic Utility of a Rapid Immunochromatographic Test for Procalcitonin in Paediatric Infections
Dr. Anju Sebastian1, Archana S2
1Department of Microbiology, 2Department of Microbiology,
Government Medical College, Ernakulam, Kerala, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Anju Sebastian
ABSTRACT
Procalcitonin (PCT) is an inflammatory marker that has been used as an indicator of severe bacterial infection. A rapid immunochromatographic test was used in this study, which can be used for on-site detection of PCT. A prospective study was done in the Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care hospital from March 2021 to February 2022. 227 patients were included in the study. Respiratory tract infection was the commonest infection (40.8%) in children followed by central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract infections. Out of 227 patients, 23patients had positive blood culture. E.coli was the predominant isolate followed by Pseudomonas and Klebsiella. Serum CRP was positive in 69 patients (30.4%) and procalcitonin was positive in 117 (51.5%) patients.
Key words: Procalcitonin, Paediatric infections, C-reactive protein