The diagnostic role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 and procalcitonin for early detection of neonatal sepsis

Background/aim
Sepsis is a substantial cause of death in neonates less than or equal to 28 days of life. As the bacteriologic method needs much time and it may give false-negative results in septic neonates’ diagnosis, the present study aims to appraise the diagnostic role of both soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) and procalcitonin (PCT) for early detection of neonatal sepsis.
Patients and methods
This case–control study included 40 septic neonates and other 40 nonseptic neonates as control. They were subjected to history taking, full clinical examination, and assessment of sTREM-1, PCT by ELISA, C-reactive protein in serum, in addition to CBC and blood culture test.
Results
sTREM-1 and PCT showed significant increase in septic group when compared with controls. Moreover, their levels were significantly higher in positive blood culture septic neonates than negative blood culture septic neonates. C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in late-onset sepsis group than early-onset sepsis group.
Conclusion
Serum sTREM-1 and PCT could be used as new biomarkers for rapid and early detection of neonatal septicemia, leading to prompt initiation of antibiotic therapy for achieving better outcomes in those cases.