Background: In search of sensitive and specific markers of systemic infection procalcitonin (PCT) recently was promoted to the focus of clinical research. Little is known about the biology of PCT and until now no data have been presented about clinical importance of PCT in obstetric patients.
Patient and methods: Daily PCT values in a 17 year old patient with septic abortion were compared with established markers of systemic inflammation. Cultivated monocytes were analyzed by the means of indirect immunofluorescence for intracellular distribution of PCT. Additionally, PCT release into culture medium was examined.
Results: PCT values in comparison with established inflammation markers was demonstrated in the patient with septic abortion. Indirect immunofluorescence studies revealed the presence of PCT within monocytes. In the supernatants of monocyte cultures PCT was detectable under control conditions. Stimulation with lipopolysaccharide resulted in the increased PCT concentrations both in the supernatants of healthy and patient monocyte cultures.
Conclusions: In the given patient PCT was superior to other inflammation markers with regard to early and progression diagnosis. Peripheral blood monocytes appear to be a potential site of inflammation-induced PCT production. For the first time intracellular distribution pattern and release of PCT from human monocytes was described.
Discussion: Based on the presented data broad clinical studies devoted to PCT evaluation in obstetric patients seem to be promising. As till now the interpretation of increased PCT values depended on empirical knowledge, extensive studies of the potential production site as well as its biological significance should be performed, too.