Microbiota and serum tumor markers in patients with pancreatic cystic neoplasm.

<b>

Introduction

</b> One of the main precursory lesions for pancreatic carcinoma is pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN). Differentiation between the various types of cysts is a clinical challenge. <br><br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to assess the microbiological status and the serum tumor markers compared with biochemical parameters and histopathological results in patients with PCN. <br><br><b>Materials and methods:</b> A total of 59 patients diagnosed with PCN and treated between 2022 and 2023 were included in the study. Preoperative levels of serum inflammatory and tumor markers were assessed. Bacterial culture samples were collected from the nasal vestibule, the skin of the groin, and from cyst fluid and bile (in the case of cholecystectomy), and histopathology reports were examined. <br><br><b>

Results

</b> Seven (41.18%) patients with positive culture had cancer compared with 12 (28.57%) negative patients (p = 0.35). In the cystic pancreatic cancer group CA19-9 level was higher (190.43 427.80 ng/ml) than among benign lesions (100.16 506.22 ng/ml) (p = 0.02). Among patients with positive culture, C-reactive protein (CRP) level was higher (31.84 70.91 mg/l) comparing with patients with negative culture (10.94 28.75 mg/l; p = 0.03). Serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) levels were lower in patients with positive culture (2.34 1.13 <i>vs.</i> 4.08 2.44 ng/ml, respectively; p = 0.04). Furthermore, CRP level was positively correlated with CA19-9, and CA125 levels and negatively correlated with AFP level and hospitalization period. <br><br><b>

Conclusions

</b> Patients with positive cultures tended to have a higher incidence of cancers, CRP levels, and longer hospitalization periods. Further analyses of pancreatic cyst microbiome are definitely required.