[Usefulness of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) estimation in patients with bacterial sepsis].

Between 1997-2000 there were 30 patients with bacterial sepsis treated at Department of Infectious Diseases of Silesian Medical University School in Bytom. Neisseria meningitidis (23.33%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (20%) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.33%) were most frequent etiological factors of the disease. The etiology of sepsis was not revealed in 53.34% of cases. Clinical state of patients was assessed using SSS and SAPS II score. All subjects were divided into two groups: group I--patients with septic syndrome symptoms (11 cases), group II--patients without septic syndrome symptoms (19 cases). The aim of the study was usefulness of plasma C-reactive protein estimation in the course of bacterial sepsis monitoring. Plasma CRP concentration was assessed by immunoturbidometric method (using RANDOX, UK kits). Blood samples were taken on th 1., 4. and 10. day of therapy. Plasma CRP levels were statistically significantly higher in patients of the group I in samples of the first and the second assay. CRP serum concentration correlated with severity of a patient's clinical state. Type of sepsis's etiological factor did not exert influence on plasma CRP level. In fatal cases high plasma CRP concentration was recorded during the whole time of hospitalization, whereas in cases of recovery fast decrease of this protein level was noted. The obtained result indicate, that estimation of plasma CRP concentration in patients with bacterial sepsis may be helpful in evaluation of clinical state severity, monitoring of the disease course as well as therapy efficacy.