Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 is an early marker of infection in the surgical intensive care unit.

Background: To determine the value of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) in early differentiation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) from infection in patients in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: Patients were enrolled if there was clinical suspicion of infection and they fulfilled at least two criteria of SIRS at the time of admission to the ICU. The patients were classified as having SIRS (no infection; n = 37) or infection (n = 56) on the basis of the decision of the treating physician and bacteriological evidence of infection. The plasma concentrations of sTREM-1 in the two groups were compared.

Results: Patients with infection had significantly higher sTREM-1 concentrations than patients with SIRS: Median 398 pg/mL (interquartile range [IQR] 302, 552) vs. 78 pg/mL (IQR 28, 150), respectively (p < 0.0001). At a cut-off of 230 pg/mL, sTREM-1 correctly identified patients suffering from infection with 96% sensitivity and 91% specificity.

Conclusions: In the present study, sTREM-1 was an accurate tool for differentiating SIRS from infection in patients in the surgical ICU.