Abstract
The reference value of PCT within the reference range was estimated in 177 dialysis patients who did not have bacterial infection and in 143 dialysis patients who had bacterial infection among 183 dialysis patients, and the significance of the reference value in such patients was evaluated. PCT values were transformed to a normal distribution, and the normalized mean ± 2x standard deviation was calculated. As a result, the reference maximum was 0.76 ng/mL in the former (n = 177) and 0.72 ng/mL in the latter (n = 143). The median PCT value of 0.26 ng/mL before dialysis decreased to 0.21 ng/mL after dialysis. There was no significant difference in the removal rate of PCT between polysulfone and polymethyl methacrylate membranes, and the removal rate was increased by adding the beta 2 microglobulin column Lixelle®. In the multiple regression analysis of Log10PCT, patient age, levels of beta 2 microglobulin and CRP, and reticulocyte count remained as explanatory variables. In conclusion, the reference value of PCT in dialysis patients was defined as "less than 0.7 ng/mL", in comparison with “less than 0.05 ng/mL” in normal subjects. The PCT value in dialysis patients without infection may represent a certain aspect of chronic minute inflammation, in addition to the poor removal rate of PCT using a high-performance membrane.
