The predictive value of soluble biomarkers (CD14 subtype, interleukin-2 receptor, human leucocyte antigen-G) and procalcitonin in the detection of bacteremia and sepsis in pediatric oncology patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia.

Background: Prediction of bacteremia/sepsis in childhood oncology patients with febrile neutropenia still remains a challenge for the medical community due to the lack of reliable biomarkers, especially at the beginning of infectious process. The objective of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of soluble biomarkers (CD14 subtype, interleukin-2 receptor, HLA-G) and procalcitonin (PCT) in the identification of infectious process at the beginning of a febrile episode in pediatric oncology patients.

Methods: A total of 62 episodes of febrile neutropenia in 37 childhood oncology patients were enrolled in this study. Serum samples were collected at presentation after confirmation of febrile neutropenia and analyzed according to recommendations of manufacturers. Patients were classified into bacteremia/sepsis and fever of unknown origin groups.

Results: Median of PCT and sIL-2R were considerably higher in bacteremia/sepsis group compared to fever of unknown origin group, whereas median of sHLA-G and presepsin levels between investigated groups did not differ sufficiently.

Conclusions: PCT and sIL-2R determination might be used as an additional diagnostic tool for the detection of bacteremia/sepsis in childhood oncology patients with febrile neutropenia.