Can a Presepsin (Scd14–st) Obtained from Tracheal Aspirate be a Biomarker for Early–Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Abstract In absence of clear clinical signs and clear definition, neonatal sepsis is still one of the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Most researchs in past time was directional on finding new biomarkers with greater sensitivity and specificity in detection of neonatal sepsis. The aim of our study was to investigate if presepsin obtained from tracheal asprate in intubated newborns, can be a novel biomarker of systemic bacterial infection. Our ‘’case control’’ study included 60 newborns, 11 with suspected neonatal sepsis. Tracheal aspirate for examination was taken in the usual toilets, in aseptic conditions, by lavage with 2 ml of 0.9% NaCl in Mucus suction set. In the same day were mesured presepsin (blood), CRP, PCT, leukocytes and neutrophyls, as well as blood culture. Our research showed higher levels for PCT and presepsin (blood) in septic newborns, as well as in newborns with clinical signs of SIRS. Presepsin obtained from a tracheal aspirate had high score for septic newborns. As the coefficients of simple linear correlation showed, there was quantitative agreement between presepsin (blood) with presepsin (tracheal aspirate)- increase in the value of one leads to an increase in other. In conjunction with an already validated markers of infection, presepsin obtained from tracheal aspirate cam be turned on in diagnostic procedures.