Comparative Analysis of Serum C-reactive Protein and Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Markers in Odontogenic Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study.
- 1Department of Dentistry, Balurghat District Hospital, Balurghat, IND.
- 2Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Haldia Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, Haldia, IND.
Abstract
Introduction Odontogenic infections produce varying degrees of local and systemic inflammatory response. Objective biomarkers may provide additional information regarding infection severity. This study compared the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels between patients with different odontogenic infections and healthy individuals. Materials and methods This cross-sectional comparative observational study included 90 participants: 60 patients with odontogenic infections and 30 healthy controls. The case group included patients with pulpitis, apical periodontitis, periapical abscess, periodontal abscess, or odontogenic space infection (12 participants each). Serum CRP and PCT concentrations were estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using the independent-samples t-test, chi-square (χ²) test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc test. Results Mean serum CRP was significantly higher in cases than controls (9.11 ± 9.50 versus 1.50 ± 0.50 mg/L; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.98). Similarly, PCT was significantly higher in cases (1.43 ± 0.73 versus 0.15 ± 0.05 ng/mL; p < 0.001). CRP differed significantly among infection subgroups (p < 0.001), with the highest level in space infection (27.69 ± 1.17 mg/L). PCT also differed significantly (p < 0.001), reaching the highest level in space infection (2.70 ± 0.20 ng/mL). Conclusion CRP and PCT levels may serve as useful adjunctive biomarkers for assessing odontogenic infections and identifying extensive infections, particularly space infections.
Related
- Diagnostic utility of plasma heparin-binding protein and procalcitonin among patients with bacterial infections: a single-center retrospective study
- Determinants of extended inpatient care in odontogenic cervicofacial infections: a retrospective observational study.
- Procalcitonin and Presepsin in Gram-Negative Sepsis: Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Antimicrobial Stewardship Perspectives
- Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst Exhibiting Focal Clear Cell Change: A Diagnostic Challenge
- Knowledge, Awareness and Practice Regarding the Spread of Oro-Dental Infections to the Head and Neck Region: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Survey Among Dental and Medical Students
BibTeX
@article{roy2026comparative,
title = {{Comparative Analysis of Serum C-reactive Protein and Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Markers in Odontogenic Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study.}},
author = {Arani Roy and Soumyabrata Sarkar and Subhadeep Maity and Mainak Datta and Madhurima Manna and Medha Mukherjee},
journal = {Cureus},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.7759/cureus.117034},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953254},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Comparative Analysis of Serum C-reactive Protein and Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Markers in Odontogenic Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study.
AU - Arani Roy
AU - Soumyabrata Sarkar
AU - Subhadeep Maity
AU - Mainak Datta
AU - Madhurima Manna
AU - Medha Mukherjee
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/27
JO - Cureus
DO - 10.7759/cureus.117034
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953254
AB - Introduction Odontogenic infections produce varying degrees of local and systemic inflammatory response. Objective biomarkers may provide additional information regarding infection severity. This study compared the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels between patients with different odontogenic infections and healthy individuals. Materials and methods This cross-sectional comparative observational study included 90 participants: 60 patients with odontogenic infections and 30 healthy controls. The case group included patients with pulpitis, apical periodontitis, periapical abscess, periodontal abscess, or odontogenic space infection (12 participants each). Serum CRP and PCT concentrations were estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using the independent-samples t-test, chi-square (χ²) test, one-way analysis of variance, and Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) post hoc test. Results Mean serum CRP was significantly higher in cases than controls (9.11 ± 9.50 versus 1.50 ± 0.50 mg/L; p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.98). Similarly, PCT was significantly higher in cases (1.43 ± 0.73 versus 0.15 ± 0.05 ng/mL; p < 0.001). CRP differed significantly among infection subgroups (p < 0.001), with the highest level in space infection (27.69 ± 1.17 mg/L). PCT also differed significantly (p < 0.001), reaching the highest level in space infection (2.70 ± 0.20 ng/mL). Conclusion CRP and PCT levels may serve as useful adjunctive biomarkers for assessing odontogenic infections and identifying extensive infections, particularly space infections.
SN - 2168-8184
ER -