Real-life data patterns of C-reactive protein and albumin level trajectories around bacteremia.

Aim: To assess trajectory patterns of C-reactive protein (CRP) and plasma albumin (PA) levels around bacteremia.

Patients & Methods: Population-based study, 2418 community-acquired bacteremia patients, CRP and PA specimens from 30 days before through 30 days after bacteremia (day 0). A pattern was based on specimen occurring or not in days -30/-1, 0, 1/7 or 8/30. Mean daily CRP and PA levels on day -30/30 were computed for pattern subgroups.

Results & Conclusion: Mean CRP rose on day -5 and reached its peak on day 1. Mean steady PA on day -30/0 declined abruptly on day 1, increasing slowly thereafter. Trajectories did not differ between subgroups. We conclude that longitudinal analysis results can be extrapolated to all community-acquired bacteremia patients.