Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the inflammatory response of urothelium to bacterial invasion, is one of the most common infections in all ages of life. In this study, we aim to compare the levels of biomarkers among patients positive for UTI against those without UTI.

Methodology: This single centre, retrospective study included patients aged 18 years or above, who presented to the Emergency Department of DY Patil Hospital, Navi Mumbai and was tested with urinalysis and had urine culture, blood cultures, and samples for blood test were taken within 24 hours from which biomarkers like procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. PCT was measured by quantitative electrochemiluminescence immunoassay with a sensitivity of 0.02 ng/ml and CRP was determined by quantitative enzyme immunoassay with a sensitivity of 1mg/l. All statistical tests were 2-tailed and a p < 0.05 met statistical significance.

Results: During the study period 247 patients were included, of which 62 patients were positive for UTI. We observed a significantly higher proportion of patients with previous history of UTI, urinary stones, fever and systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm of Hg among patients who were positive for UTI. We found higher PCT and CRP levels among patients with UTI (0.82 ± 0.15 ng/ml and 110.4 ± 12.8 mg/L respectively) as compared to those negative for UTI (0.11 ± 0.20 and 27.7 ± 8.16 respectively).

Conclusions: Serum procalcitonin and blood CRP measurements are non-invasive tests which can diagnose UTI in patients.

Keywords: Procalcitonin; C-reactive protein; Biomarkers; Urinary tract infection

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Dr Smita Patil

Dept of General Medicine, D Y Patil University School of Medicine, Nerul, Navi Mumbai-400706, India