TITLE:
Role of Serum Procalcitonin Level in Differentiating between Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Community-Acquired Pneumonia
AUTHORS:
Mohammad Shameem, Mazhar Alam, Shagufta Moin, Rakesh Bhargava, Zuber Ahmad, Jamal Akhtar
KEYWORDS:
Procalcitonin, Tuberculosis, Community-Acquired Pneumonia
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol.5 No.15,
August
7,
2014
ABSTRACT: Pulmonary Tuberculosis
(PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) are common causes of consolidation
patch in chest radiograph. Sputum Z-N staining is positive in 30% to 60% cases
only and sputum examination has poor yield in CAP. This study aimed to assess
the value of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
(PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). Patients with new opacity in
chest radiograph were included in the study. Serum sample were taken at
admission and stored. Patient’s diagnosis were confirmed and categorized into
pulmonary TB group (32) and community-acquired pneumonia group (23). Their mean
PCT level was compared with mean PCT level of 25 controls. Serum procalcitonin levels
were found to be significantly elevated in patients of community-acquired
pneumonia as compared to patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. In presence of
consolidation in x-ray chest, increased level of serum procalcitonin might be
used to differentiate pulmonary tuberculosis from community-acquired pneumonia.
High level of serum procalcitonin was associated with high mortality rate in community-acquired
pneumonia patients.