Evaluating the Clinical Utility of C-Reactive Protein , Procalcitonin, and Presepsin as Biomarkers in Sepsis Diagnosis and Prognosis of the Infections

Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis, caused by an uncontrolled immune response,
leads to high mortality and poses challenges for early diagnosis due
to symptom variability. Standard blood cultures often fail, highlighting
the need for reliable biomarkers. This study assessed C-reactive protein
(CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and presepsin to improve early detection
and minimise unnecessary antibiotic use.
Materials and Method: This retrospective study involved 100 patients
with sepsis in the Medical ICU, adhering to the American College of
Chest Physicians’ guidelines. Blood samples were analysed for CRP,
PCT, and presepsin using appropriate assays. Data were processed in
MS Excel and analysed with SPSS (version 25).
Results: Among the 100 patients (median age 42 years), 56% had sepsis,
18% severe sepsis, and 26% septic shock. Common comorbidities
included diabetes (21.4%) and hypertension (19.6%). Significant
biomarker differences were noted: PCT levels were highest in septic
shock (6.5 ng/mL), followed by severe sepsis (3.2 ng/mL) and sepsis (1.8
ng/mL) (p < 0.001). CRP and presepsin levels also showed significant
variations. Sensitivity was 85% for CRP, 90% for PCT, and 92% for
presepsin, and specificity values were 70%, 75%, and 80%, respectively.
Conclusion: This study emphasises the varying efficacy of CRP, PCT, and
presepsin in diagnosing sepsis and its severity. The notable differences
in biomarker levels across sepsis stages highlight the importance of early
identification and intervention. Future research should investigate the
integration of these biomarkers with clinical scoring systems to improve
sepsis management and outcomes in infected persons.

Singhal A K, Bansal S K, Harith A K, Saha T K.
Evaluating the Clinical Utility of C-Reactive
Protein , Procalcitonin, and Presepsin
as Biomarkers in Sepsis Diagnosis and
Prognosis of the Infections. J Commun Dis.
2025;57(1):96-100.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202512