In the differential diagnosis of sepsis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, procalcitonin and C-reactive protein (CRP) may be as determinant as ferritin

• Published in: Dicle tıp dergisi Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 297 - 307
• Main Authors: OTO, Arzu, ERDOGAN, Seher, AKBAYRAM, Sinan, BOSNAK, Mehmet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Diyarbakir Dicle University 13-06-2022
• Subjects: Bone marrow; Fever; Intensive care; Laboratories; Lymphatic diseases; Mortality; Mutation; Normal distribution; Patients; Pediatrics; Proteins; Sepsis; Values; Variables
• ISSN: 1300-2945; 1308-9889
• DOI: 10.5798/dicletip.1128911

Background: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and sepsis frequently appear as overlapping diagnoses in intensive care units. It is necessary to distinguish HLH, which has a very high mortality, from sepsis. In this study, we wanted to draw attention to the potential of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) as a marker like ferritin in differential diagnosis. Thus, HLH can be diagnosed as early as possible and the necessary aggressive immunosuppressive therapy can be added to the existing treatment.
Methods: All of the patients in the sepsis clinic who meet the HLH criteria Group HLH; patients not meeting the HLH criteria were defined as Group non-HLH. Files of all patients were reviewed in regard to HLH diagnosis criteria and H score.
Results: There were 16 patients in Group HLH and 15 in Group non-HLH. CRP and PCT levels were significantly lower (p: 0.007 and p