Procalcitonin as a rapid diagnostic biomarker to differentiate between culture-negative bacterial sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome: A prospective, observational, cohort study☆

Abstract Purpose Differentiation between culture-negative sepsis and noninfectious systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) remains a diagnostic challenge for clinicians, both conditions having similar clinical presentations. Therefore, a swift accurate diagnostic tool, which helps differentiate these 2 conditions would immensely aid appropriate therapeutic continuum. This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the potential diagnostic role of biomarkers, procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), in culture-negative sepsis patients. Methods Enrolled patients (208) included 46 noninfectious SIRS, 90 culture-negative sepsis, and 72 culture-positive sepsis. Culture, PCT, and IL-6 estimations were performed on day 1 of intensive care unit admission. Results Procalcitonin and IL-6 levels were significantly higher ( P Conclusions Procalcitonin can accurately differentiate culture-negative sepsis from noninfectious SIRS and thereby contribute to early diagnosis and effective management of these conditions.