Medicina, Free Full-Text

Background and Objectives: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis. Inflammatory markers are elevated in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and yet ongoing infection rarely coexists at diagnosis. PCT levels might be helpful in differentiating bacterial from disease-related inflammation. Materials and Methods: We evaluated serum PCT levels and other inflammation markers in newly diagnosed HL patients. Values < 0.50 ng/mL were considered normal (0.10–0.50 ng/mL: detectable, <0.10 ng/mL: undetectable), while values ≥ 0.50 ng/L were considered elevated. Results: Among 137 patients, 55 had B symptoms (40%), 77/130 (59%) had elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and 116 (85%) had elevated C-Reactive Protein (CRP) (median 38.1 mg/L (range; 2.97–328)). PCT levels were normal in most patients (undetectable 94/137 (68.5%) and detectable 41/137(30%)) with median value < 0.10 ng/mL (range; <0.10–15.90). Elevated PCT was recorded in only two patients (1.5%). Patients with PCT < 0.10 ng/mL had significantly lower median CRP (25.75; range (2.97–203.0)) compared to patients with PCT ≥ 0.1 ng/mL (median CRP 92.50 mg/L; range (3.34–328.0)). Almost all patients (40/41, 97.6%) with detectable PCT had elevated CRP. Conclusions: This is the first study showing that the inflammation characterizing HL is not associated with PCT elevations, although CRP levels are elevated in 85% of the patients. Normal PCT levels may rule out the possibility of occult infection, thus preventing extensive evaluation, which may delay treatment initiation.

Shop and Discover Books, Journals, Articles and more

Galen - Wikipedia

PDF) How sensitive and specific is the visual diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging Iberian ibexes?

The Institute for Functional Medicine Information and educational seminars and conferences on functional medicine.

Free Medical Journals

The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine Third Edition: Michael T. Murray, Joseph Pizzorno: 9781451663006: : Books

Medicina An Open Access Journal from MDPI

Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture - 1000mg - 30ml

Free Medical Books

Machine Learning in Medicine

Stanford Medicine Offers Courses with Free Certificate & CME Credit — Class Central

Medicina, Free Full-Text

Revealing Data: Ars de Statica Medicina, 1614 – Circulating Now from the NLM Historical Collections