Effects of levofloxacin combined with heparin on serum PCT and CRP levels in hemodialysis patients with catheter infection

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of levofloxacin combined with heparin on serum PCT and CRP levels in hemodialysis patients with catheter infection. Methods 82 hemodialysis patients with catheter infection admitted to our hospital from January 2017 to January 2018 were selected and were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was treated with levofloxacin, and the study group was treated with heparin on the basis of the control group. The incidence of adverse reactions, WBC and CRP levels, PCT and ESR levels, and inflammatory factors levels were compared between the two groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in WBC and CRP levels between the two groups before treatment (P>0.05). After treatment, the WBC and CRP levels in the study group [(4.1±2.2)×109/L, (5.1±2.3)mg/L] were lower than those in the control group (P 0.05). After treatment, the PCT and ESR levels in the study group [(0.8±0.2)μg/L, (19.3±3.2)mm/h] were lower than those in the control group (P 0.05). After treatment, the TNF-α, IL-6, and TG levels in the study group [(16.1±6.3)μg/L, (35.1±8.5)ng/L, (4.5±2.3)mmol/L] were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Levofloxacin combined with heparin can significantly improve WBC and CRP levels, PCT and ESR levels in hemodialysis patients with catheter infection, which can reduce inflammatory factors levels, improve safety, and improve patients’ prognosis. Therefore, levofloxacin and heparin should be further promoted and applied. Key words: Levofloxacin; Heparin; Hemodialysis; Catheter infection; Serum PCT level; Serum CRP level