Serum procalcitonin levels in severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

U Hollenstein Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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S Looareesuwan Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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A Aichelburg Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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F Thalhammer Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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B Stoiser Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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S Amradee Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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S Chullawichit Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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I El Menyawi Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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H Burgmann Department of Internal Medicine I, University of Vienna, Austria.

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1998.59.860
Volume/Issue:
Volume 59: Issue 6
Page(s):
860–863
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Levels of procalcitonin (ProCT) have been found to be elevated in individuals with severe bacterial infections such as sepsis and peritonitis, and this correlates well with the severity of the disease. Recently, increased levels have been described in melioidosis and Plasmodium falciparum malaria. In this study ProCT levels were measured in 27 Thai patients with complicated malaria before and during/after treatment with artesunate and mefloquine. Initial parasite counts averaged 290,680/microl (range = 533-1,147,040). On admission, ProCT levels were elevated in all but one patient (median = 40 ng/ml, range = 0.04-662, normal values < 0.5 ng/ml). With treatment, levels decreased to 1.3 ng/ml (range = 0.01-6.5). Nitrite/nitrate levels in patients were higher than in controls throughout the study. The ProCT levels correlated with initial parasite density (P < 0.05), which is a marker of disease severity, and with nitrite/nitrate levels (P < 0.05). Based on the changes of ProCT levels over the course of the disease a possible role in the acute-phase reaction seems likely.

Author Notes

Published Online:
Dec 1998
Cover The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Print ISSN:
0002-9637
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