%0 Journal Article
%T Role of Serum Procalcitonin Level in Differentiating between Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Community-Acquired Pneumonia
%A Mohammad Shameem
%A Mazhar Alam
%A Shagufta Moin
%A Rakesh Bhargava
%A Zuber Ahmad
%A Jamal Akhtar
%J International Journal of Clinical Medicine
%P 902-909
%@ 2158-2882
%D 2014
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ijcm.2014.515121
%X <p style=\"text-align:justify;\">
	<span style=\"font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana;\">Pulmonary Tuberculosis
(PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) are common causes of consolidation
patch in chest radiograph. Sputum Z-N staining is positive in 30% to 60% cases
only and sputum examination has poor yield in CAP. This study aimed to assess
the value of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
(PTB) and Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). Patients with new opacity in
chest radiograph were included in the study. Serum sample were taken at
admission and stored. Patient¡¯s diagnosis were confirmed and categorized into
pulmonary TB group (32) and community-acquired pneumonia group (23). Their mean
PCT level was compared with mean PCT level of 25 controls. Serum procalcitonin levels
were found to be significantly elevated in patients of community-acquired
pneumonia as compared to patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. In presence of
consolidation in x-ray chest, increased level of serum procalcitonin might be
used to differentiate pulmonary tuberculosis from community-acquired pneumonia.
High level of serum procalcitonin was associated with high mortality rate in community-acquired
pneumonia patients.</span>
</p>
%K Procalcitonin
%K Tuberculosis
%K Community-Acquired Pneumonia
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=48589