Biochemical and cytological analyses of pleural effusion in patients with lung anthracosis and antracofibrosis.

Background: Anthracosis and anthracofibrosis are attributed to the deposition of carbon particles along with fibrosis, adhesion, narrowing, and collapse. There has been no study on the characteristics of the pleural fluid in anthracosis. The present study analyzed the biochemical characteristics of pleural effusion in patients with pulmonary anthracosis.

Serum Procalcitonin Level as a Predictor of Bacterial Infection in Patients with COPD Exacerbation.

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity throughout the world. Although the cause of COPD exacerbations can be bacterial or viral, use of antibiotics in exacerbations remains controversial. Procalcitonin serum level dramatically increases in bacterial infections, but not in viral or noninfectious febrile diseases.