BACKGROUND: Infections account for considerable morbidity and mortality in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is used in the early diagnosis of bacterial infection and has higher sensitivity and specificity. However, the level of PCT might be affected. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reported an ESRD patient with abnormal liver function manifesting a high level of serum PCT. The evidence of infection was not found, and with the constant adjustment of antibiotic therapy, the level of PCT remained high. However, the PCT level gradually recovered after discontinuing all antibiotic therapy. The correlative analysis suggested a strong positive correlation between PCT and TBIL and DBIL. CONCLUSIONS: Without the evidence of infection, PCT could be affected by liver function. When an ESRD patient with abnormal liver function manifested a high level of PCT, the influence of liver function especially bilirubin on PCT should be considered.
BACKGROUND:Infections account for considerable morbidity and mortality in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Serum procalcitonin (PCT) is used in the early diagnosis of bacterial infection and has higher sensitivity and specificity. However, the level of PCT might be affected. METHODS AND RESULTS: We reported an ESRDpatient with abnormal liver function manifesting a high level of serum PCT. The evidence of infection was not found, and with the constant adjustment of antibiotic therapy, the level of PCT remained high. However, the PCT level gradually recovered after discontinuing all antibiotic therapy. The correlative analysis suggested a strong positive correlation between PCT and TBIL and DBIL. CONCLUSIONS: Without the evidence of infection, PCT could be affected by liver function. When an ESRDpatient with abnormal liver function manifested a high level of PCT, the influence of liver function especially bilirubin on PCT should be considered.