Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences
DOI
10.3906/sag-1203-68
Abstract
To investigate the diagnostic value of plasma-free DNA concentration (PF-DNA) in septic patients compared to nonseptic patients and to correlate it with clinical outcome. Materials and methods: Forty-two mechanically ventilated consecutive patients (11 septic, 31 nonseptic) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) were recruited. On admission, besides PF-DNA concentration, APACHE II and SOFA scores and serum C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and serum lipid concentrations, together with clinical outcome, were assessed. Plasma samples from 11 volunteers were also collected. Appropriate statistics were used for analysis. Results: Median PF-DNA concentrations on admission were significantly higher in septic patients compared to nonseptic patients [14,285 (48-180,311) GE/mL versus 546.5 (0-7674) GE/mL, P < 0.0001]. For distinguishing septic and nonseptic patients on admission, the area under the curve obtained for PF-DNA concentration was 0.9 (sensitivity 84%, specificity 95%; cutoff 4083 GE/mL). There were no significant differences between PF-DNA concentrations of nonsurvivors and survivors. Additionally, DNA concentration demonstrated a significant correlation with CRP, PCT, and high-density lipoprotein concentrations. Conclusion: Plasma DNA seems to be a potentially valuable tool to confirm sepsis diagnosis upon ICU admission.
Keywords
Plasma-free DNA, critical illness, sepsis, diagnosis
First Page
150
Last Page
155
Recommended Citation
MEÇO, BAŞAK CEYDA; CUHRUK, FATMA HANDAN; TULUNAY, MELEK; ORAL, MEHMET; and ÜNAL, MUSTAFA NECMETTİN
(2013)
"Can plasma-free DNA concentration be a diagnostic tool in critically ill septic patients?,"
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences: Vol. 43:
No.
1, Article 26.
https://doi.org/10.3906/sag-1203-68
Available at:
https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/medical/vol43/iss1/26