Comparative Analysis of Serum C-reactive Protein and Procalcitonin as Diagnostic Markers in Odontogenic Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
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.
Source: Cureus
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214541844