Could XXXX be a predictive biological marker in @entity364 ?. Study of 14 cases.

@entity1 @entity3217 @entity1904 @entity2348 @entity364
BACKGROUND: @entity1904 (PCT) is a recently described inflammatory marker that has been shown to increase significantly in @entity1 with severe systemic @entity2348 . Reports on the diagnostic and predictive value of @entity364 are limited. METHODS: In order to evaluate the role of PCT in systemic @entity3217 , 14 @entity1 (mean age 40 years) with proven or probable @entity364 were investigated. Blood samples were collected on days 1, 3, 5, and 10 after the onset of signs and symptoms of @entity364 (clinical and/or laboratory diagnosis and/or radiographic evidence). PCT measurements were performed using an immunoluminometric assay. RESULTS: In five @entity1 with severe @entity364 and an unfavorable course ( @entity1 group 2), PCT levels were moderately elevated on day 3 (0.5-1.0 ng/ml), whereas they were normal in the @entity1 who recovered ( @entity1 group 1). High PCT levels (>/=1.11 ng/ml) were detected on the 10th day of the course of the illness in @entity1 group 2. A normal or moderate elevation of PCT on day 10 was observed in @entity1 group 1. The difference in mean PCT levels in @entity1 groups 1 and 2 on days 3 and 10 were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: PCT levels seem to correlate with the severity and outcome of @entity364 . If this finding can be confirmed in a larger number of @entity1 , it could serve as a prognostic indicator.
