The objective of this study was to determine whether or not measuring serum procalcitonin (PCT) level could be a reliable marker for detecting infection during the course of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and guttate psoriasis. Patients with SLE showing evidence of urinary tract infection (16 of 24) of both sexes and within the age group of (19-27) showed a statistically significant (P<0.05) higher serum PCT than in age and sex matched control subjects (n=24) and patients with SLE (with and without disease activity, n=24) without urinary tract Infection. Similarly patients with guttate psoriasis manifesting bacterial throat infection (n=20) showed statistically significant (P<0.05) higher serum PCT as compared to the control subjects. In the two groups of patients, antibiotic therapy and cure of infection induced suppression of serum PCT level. Measuring of serum interleukin (IL) 6 among the two groups of patients and controls and assessing serum Creactive protein (CRP) in control subjects and SLE patients group were also conducted. It is concluded that measuring of serum PCT Is helpful in detecting the development of infection during the course of immunemediated disorders. PCT test is easy and rapid. |
