Role of maternal serum procalcitonin, interleukin-6 and hs-c reactive protein in prediciton of subclinical [intrauterine] infection in preterm premature rupture of membranes

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the role of procalcitonin [PCT], high senstive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP] and Interleukin-6 [IL-6] for prediction of subclinical intrauterine infection in pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Twenty patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes PPROM [study group] and twenty apparently healthy pregnant women [control] group between 26-34 weeks of pregnancy were enrolled in this study. In all cases analysis of serum procalcitonin by high performance liquid chromatography, Il-6 by ELISA method and hs-CRP by nephelometry were done. Culture of vaginal bacteria was done for study group only. Procalcitonin levels in the PRROM group were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women [median 1.95 versus 0.39-Interquartile range 1.375 versus 0.213 - P0.001]. A significant correlation was observed between PCT and hs-CRP [r=0.510; P0.031] and leucocytosis [r=0.544- P 0.013]. Also IL-6 levels were significantly higher in cases of PPROM compared with control group [median 40.01 versus 5.55 - Interquartile range, 45.88 versus 4.22 P 0.001]. No significant correlation was present between PCT and IL-6. Determination of PCT, hs-CRP and IL-6 in mother's blood sample can be useful for diagnostics of PPROM cases suspected of intrauterine infection. However PCT more valuable and specific