The association between procalcitonin, venous blood gas parameters, and
clinical prognosis in patients with Crimean--Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
Abstract
Objective: Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic
infection characterized by fever and hemorrhage that is endemic to
northeastern Turkey. This study aimed to examine the association between
procalcitonin and venous blood gas parameters and clinical course and
prognosis in patients with CCHF. Methods: A total of 96 CCHF patients
who were followed up in the infectious diseases department between March
and September 2020 were included in the study. The patients’ routine
laboratory tests, serum procalcitonin, and results of venous blood gas
analysis were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were
statistically significantly differences in serum platelet, aspartate
transaminase, alanine transaminase, creatinine kinase, lactate
dehydrogenase, potassium, C-reactive protein, sedimentation, D-dimer,
activated partial thromboplastin time, ferritin, procalcitonin and
lactate levels, and platelet/lymphocyte ratio among the patients with
mild, moderate and severe disease (p=0.017 for potassium and p=0.001 for
rest of others). In receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve
analysis of serum lactate for the differentiation of patients with
severe disease and those with mild/moderate disease, the area under the
curve was 0.802 and a cut-off value of 1.9 mmol/L had 77.8% sensitivity
and 76.9% specificity. For serum procalcitonin, the area under the ROC
curve was 0.892 and a cut-off value of 0.61 ng/ml had 83.3% sensitivity
and 89.7% specificity. Conclusion: Serum procalcitonin and lactate
levels may be useful and easily obtained parameters to guide the
evaluation of clinical severity and follow-up in patients with CCHF.