Association between procalcitonin levels and clostridium difficile infection

Introduction:

Elevation in procalcitonin (PCT) has been correlated to infections caused specifically by bacteria. Therefore, procalcitonin levels have been used to assist in diagnoses and guidance of antibiotic therapy in respiratory tract infections as well as sepsis. However, data on the use of procalcitonin levels in patients with Clostridium difficile infection is limited.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study are to determine the association between Clostridium difficile infection and procalcitonin, evaluate the association between severity of infection and procalcitonin, describe trends seen in procalcitonin levels based on antibiotic therapy, and determine individual severity factors associated with increased procalcitonin.

Study Design:

Retrospective chart review

Methods:

Patient charts from October 2014 through October 2015 are currently being reviewed to compare procalcitonin levels of patients with positive Clostridium difficile diagnostic tests to patients with negative results. Procalcitonin levels of patients stratified based on infection severity will also be compared. Previous history of Clostridium difficile infection, elevated white blood count, serum creatinine, temperature, and number of bowel movements will be analyzed to determine if there is a correlation between these factors and procalcitonin levels.

Results:

To date, 36 patients have been included in this study; 24 patients with GDH and toxin positive results and 12 patients with GDH and toxin negative results. The average PCT level in patients with GDH and toxin positive results is 5.15 (range: 0.11-48.23) and GDH and toxin negative results is 5.70 (range: 0.07-52.26). One patient’s infection categorized as severe complicated and 23 patient’s infection was mild/moderate.

Conclusions:

Data collection is in progress. The presentation of this study will provide further data on procalcitonin levels in the presence of Clostridium difficile infection and the association between procalcitonin and different levels of Clostridium difficile infection severity.