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Objectives: To describe the initial evolution of serum procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in previously healthy adult trauma patients and to compare the relationship of the expression of these two proteins with indicators of trauma severity. Design: Prospective, descriptive, longitudinal study.

Setting: Surgical ICU in an university hospital.

Patients: Twenty-one patients admitted during the first posttraumatic 3 h exhibiting an Injury Severity Score (ISS) between 16 and 50 were enrolled.

Measurements: Blood sampling was performed on admission and on posttraumatic days 0.5,1, 2 and 3 to assess serum levels of PCT and CRP. Total creatine kinase (CK_tot) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH_tot) activities in the serum were used as tissue damage indicators.

Results: PCT exhibited an early and transient increase in serum levels similar to a more delayed change of CRP …