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Granulocyte elastase compared to C-reactive protein for early diagnosis of septicemia in critically Ill patients

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Abstract

Plasma levels of granulocyte elastase and C-reactive protein were measured 0, 12, 24 and 48 h after suspicion of septicemia in 64 critically ill patients. Initial elastase levels were higher in 16 bacteremic patients (mean 773µg/l) than in 48 non-bacteremic patients (mean 341µg/l, p<0.01), whereas C-reactive protein levels were similar in both groups. At a level of 100 % sensitivity for the early detection of septicemia, increased elastase was less than 50 % specific, indicating limited diagnostic usefulness in this setting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, Hematology and Transfusion, Free University of Brussels, 808 route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium

    M. Struelens, J. Delville & J. Wybran

  2. Clinical Chemistry, Free University of Brussels, 808 route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium

    M. Struelens

  3. Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Free University of Brussels, 808 route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium

    P. Luypaert

Authors
  1. M. Struelens
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  2. J. Delville
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  3. P. Luypaert
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  4. J. Wybran
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Struelens, M., Delville, J., Luypaert, P. et al. Granulocyte elastase compared to C-reactive protein for early diagnosis of septicemia in critically Ill patients. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 7, 193–195 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01963080

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01963080

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