Publication

Abstract : Background: Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) is a serious complication in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. There is no reliable marker for its diagnosis. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute phase inammatory mediator produced at the site of infection, which can be assayed in a few hours. Objective: To estimate the level of PTX3 in Broncho-Alveolar Lavage (BAL) uid in children (<18 years) with suspected VAP and compare its level between culture conrmed and unconrmed VAP. A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department ofMethods: Paediatrics over 18 months duration. After informed consent, BAL uid was sent culture and estimation of PTX3 levels from children with suspected VAP {Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score ≥ 6}. PTX3 levels were compared between culture conrmed and unconrmed VAP. Result: 39 out of total 79 patients were conrmed (positive BAL culture) and rest 40 were unconrmed VAP. Median value of PTX-3 (ng/ml) in BAL uid in conrmed VAP was 17.2 {Inter Quartile Range (IQR) of 14.100 - 20.500} and 5.15 in unconrmed VAP, {IQR of 3.875 - 10.200}, (p< 0.0001). The optimal cut off value of >12.8ng/ml had sensitivity of 82.05%, specicity of 92.5%, PPV of 91.4% and NPV of 84.6% (p<0.0001) for diagnosis of microbiologically conrmed VAP. BAL uid PTX-3 may be used in rapid diagnosis of VAP.