Procalcitonin (PCT) is a new biological marker for the diagnosis of non-viral infections after transplantation of intrathoracic organs

Utility of Procalcitonin as a Biomarker for Rejection and Differentiation of Infectious Complications in Lung Transplant Recipients

“…In contrast, PCT levels did not significantly increase in patients with rejection episodes (n = 15, 20.8%) compared to uncomplicated postoperative courses ( P > .8). 16 These results demonstrate the ability of PCT monitoring to show a difference between infectious and noninfectious postoperative courses despite the universal elevation after transplantation. Although prospective in design, limitations of this observational study included lack of reporting of actual PCT values, lack of description of infectious complications, lack of division by organ type, and limited detail on type of induction therapy and anti-infective treatment.…”

“…PCT is a promising clinical biomarker in differentiating posttransplant complications in lung transplant recipients. PCT has been shown in various observational studies to be elevated during bacterial infections and remain normal in the setting of acute rejection, providing practitioners a unique biomarker to differentiate between bacterial infection and rejection 8,13-17 as well as predicting infection in lung transplant recipients. 2,18 Unfortunately, insufficient evidence exists to determine the role of PCT in the setting of colonization or mold infection/colonization.…”

“…A prospective, observational study of 72 consecutive cardiothoracic transplant recipients (22 lung transplant) immediately following transplant, reported only in abstract format, evaluated the use of PCT in differentiating between rejection, nonviral infections, and uncomplicated courses. 16 PCT was measured daily for up to 38 days following transplantation. In patients without infectious complications, PCT peaked on POD1 (0.4-24.7 ng/mL) and then steadily declined to normal values.…”

“…Although prospective in design, limitations of this observational study included lack of reporting of actual PCT values, lack of description of infectious complications, lack of division by organ type, and limited detail on type of induction therapy and anti-infective treatment. 16…”

Intensive therapy after solid organ transplantation

“…B. mithilfe der Kultivierung oder über kulturunabhängige Verfahren wie Polymerase-Kettenreaktion ("polymerase chain reaction", PCR) eine bedeutendere Rolle zu. Aber auch allgemeine Entzündungsparameter wie Leukozytenzahl, C-reaktives Protein (CRP) und Prokalzitonin ("procalcitonin", PCT), das auch unter Immunsuppression eine gute Sensitivität und Spezifität für bakterielle und fungale Infektionen besitzt, sind hilfreich [7,30,40]. Besonders zur Diffenzialdiagnose kann PCT wichtige Hinweise liefern, da es im Fall von viralen Infektionen bzw.…”