Value of Plasma Viscocity as an Acute Phase Reactant in Patients With Pneumonia

SUMMARY Purpose:Plasma viscosity is determined by various macromolecules, eg, fibrinogen, immunglobulins, and lipoproteins. Eritrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and fibrinogen levels are well known acute phase reactants. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between plasma viscosity and fibrinogen levels and ESR in patients with pneumonia. Methods: Nineteen patients (7 women, 12 men , mean age=56±12 years) with noncomplicated pneumonia were included in the study. Plasma viscosity, serum fibrinogen levels and ESR were measured in all patients before and after the antibiotic treatment. Results: All patients were succesfuly treated after antibiotic administration (10±4 days). There were significant decrease in fibrinogen levels, ESR and plasma viscosity after antibiotic treatment. There was a statistically significant correlation between the decrease of plasma viscosity and fibrinogen levels (r=0.79, p<0.001) after treatment. The decrease in ESR was not correlated with the decrease in plasma viscosity and fibrinogen levels . Conclusion: We have shown that plasma viscosity significantly correlates with fibrinogen levels in patients with pneumoniae. Although ESR significantly decreased at the end of the antibiotic treatment, it was still above the normal range. Where as plasma viscosity showed a sharp decrease to normal range at the end of antibiotic treatment. This finding has suggested that plasma viscosity can be used an earlier marker of healing. With the support of further large clinical studies, plasma viscosity can be used as an acute phase reactant in patients with pneumonia and in other inflammatory disease