Review of inflammatory biomarkers in hospitalized adults with suspected infection

Mark D Lacy MD, FIDSA

ABSTRACT

Quantitative measurement of inflammatory biomarkers is frequently obtained in evaluating hospitalized patients with suspected or confirmed infections and other inflammatory disorders. These markers may be used to establish a diagnosis or assess response to therapy. Consensus on which marker to use and when to use them is not settled nor to what extent these indicators improve outcomes or quality of care. The following is a brief review of the common inflammatory biomarkers and a suggested approach for their utilization.

Keywords: Inflammatory disease, infection, biomarkers, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR, c-reactive protein, CRP, procalcitonin, ferritin, acute phase reactants

Article citation: Lacy MD. Inflammatory biomarkers in hospitalized adults with suspected infection. The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles 2018;6(26):1–6
From: Department of Internal Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, TX
Submitted: 1/3/2018
Accepted: 7/27/2018
Reviewers: Victor Test MD, David Griffith MD
Conflicts of interest: none
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