IMPORTANCE OF PROCALCITONIN AS A SEPSIS MARKER IN MULTIORGAN DONORS

Abstract

Blood level of procalcitonin which is a sepsis marker, is used to determine the sepsis level in order to make the differentiation between bacteremia and sepsis in cadaveric donors whose blood cultures are positive and showing clinical and laboratory infections signs in Intensive Care Unit. ProCT levels are measured by immunoluminometric methods and levels below 2ng/ml are considered reliable. As 18organs donated from 8 cases showing infections signs are transplanted, 15/18 of these organs seemed to show normal graft function. 3/18 of these transplanted organs showed graft failure. 2 patients were lost due to graft failure. It is determined that organ transplantation is safe when the donors blood procalcitonin (ProCT) levels are below 2ng/ml, showing normal organ function although bacteremiais present.