Summary
We present a comparative study of different biological tests in the acute phase of inflammation. The study was performed in 80 patients after surgical procedures in septic cases. We have compared the levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), C3, C3a, C4, To, sedimentation rate, and the leucocyte count. The analysis was made before surgery and every week until the ninth week after surgery. The variations in CRP which ocurred very early were extensive. The increase ranged between 200 and 600% after the surgical procedure. In cases without complications the CRP level returned to normal within 20 days. The study showed the CRP as the most specific and sensitive biological test of the acute phase of inflammation. However this biological test cannot differentiate between an acute infective and a severe inflammatory process.
Résumé
Les auteurs présentent une étude comparative de différents tests biologiques lors de la phase aiguë de l’infection. L’étude concerne 80 patients après traitement chirurgical en milieu septique. Les auteurs ont comparé les taux de C-réactive Protéine (CRP, C3, C3a, C4), vitesse de sédimentation et numération des leucocytes. L’analyse fut effectuée avant l’intervention chirurgicale et chaque semaine pendant les 9 premières semaines post-opératoires. Les taux de CRP augmentent très rapidament (200 à 600 %) après le geste chirurgical. Dans les cas sans complications le taux revient à la normale en moins de 20 jours. L’étude montre que le taux de CRP est le test le plus spécifique et le plus sensible de la phase aiguë de l’infection. Néanmoins ce test ne permet pas de différencier une infection aiguë d’un processus inflammatoire important, non infectieux.
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28 May 2021
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-021-02973-7
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European Bone and Joint Infection Society Meeting, München, Germany, October 7–9, 1993
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Morales, J.J., Cabo, J., Sabate, A.F. et al. The biological tests used in acute-phase of inflammation in bone infection. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 5, 33–36 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02716211
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02716211