Diagnostic Accuracy of Infection Biomarkers in the Initial Investigation of Patients With Suspected Pneumonia

"Serum PCT concentration is quantified with an automated sandwich immunoassay ECLIA (Elecsys®, BRAHMS PCT-analyses) on Cobas e801. Calibration (BRAHMS PCT LIA assay) is performed once per reagent lot and no later than 24 h after Cobas e pack has been registered in the instrument. Quality control is performed after each calibration."

Serum suPAR was measured using suPARnostic© Turbilatex assay reagents (validated on Cobas© c111) protocol for Cobas© c702 and c502 applying the Multi-Pack cassettes (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany). Calibration is performed at least once a month or in connection to a new batch of TurbiLatex reagents, after calibration a quality control is performed.

Standard care is the measurement of CRP (C-reactive protein) will be measured with C - reactive protein (CRP4) immunoturbidimetric assay (Tina-quant®, Roche) on Roche/Hitachi cobas© systems c701/702. Calibration is performed (Tina-quant® C - reactive protein IV) once per reagent lot and after 6 months using the same reagent lot. Quality control is required after calibration and according manufacturing instructions.