The role of serum procalcitonin in establishing the diagnosis and prognosis of pleural infection

Respiratory Research

Table 3 The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PCT, WCC and CRP in the diagnosis of pleural infection

Serum biomarker			Sensitivity	Specificity	Positive predictive value	Negative predictive value	Positive likelihood ratio	Negative likelihood ratio
PCT	AUC calculated optimal cut-off value	≥0.085 μg/l	0.69	0.80	0.46	0.91	3.36	0.39
PCT	Manufacturers recommended cut-off value	≥0.05 μg/l	0.78	0.66	0.37	0.92	2.27	0.34
WCC	AUC calculated optimal cut-off value	≥10.35x10⁹/L	0.69	0.80	0.46	0.91	3.36	0.39
CRP	AUC calculated optimal cut-off value	≥46.5 mg/l	0.88	0.67	0.41	0.95	2.69	0.19

Abbreviations: AUC area under the curve, CRP C reactive protein, PCT procalcitonin, WCC white cell count

ISSN: 1465-993X