Marked elevation of procalcitonin level can lead to a misdiagnosis of anaphylactic shock as septic shock

The case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with hyperthermia and hypotension is reported. Laboratory test results revealed marked elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels. The clinical presentation and laboratory test results were suggestive of septic shock. No infecti...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Young Jun Kim, Sang Woo Kang, Jae Hoon Lee, Ji Hyun Cho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2015-08-01
Series:International Journal of Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971215001460
Description
Summary:The case of a 74-year-old woman who presented with hyperthermia and hypotension is reported. Laboratory test results revealed marked elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels. The clinical presentation and laboratory test results were suggestive of septic shock. No infectious focus was identified. The shock recurred after what was subsequently understood to be an unintended re-challenge with risedronate sodium. Drug-induced anaphylactic shock was finally diagnosed. Anaphylactic shock may be misdiagnosed as septic shock in patients who present with markedly elevated PCT levels.
ISSN:1201-9712
1878-3511