Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin best diagnosed acute kidney injury in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis

Introduction: Sepsis is the leading cause of ICU admission. About 60% of patients with severe sepsis had acute kidney injury (AKI). To date, plasma Neutrophil-Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) is the most promising biomarker for AKI, however it is also increased with inflammation and infection. Objectives: We aim to evaluate the utility of NGAL, Procalcitonin (PCT) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) for AKI and sepsis. Methods: This is an interim analysis of a prospective observational study of adult ICU patients with systemic inflammatory response syndroem (SIRS). PCT was measured using BRAHMS Kryptor compact assay, NGAL using TriageMeter, IL-6 using ELISA technique, and creatinine using Olympus AU2700TM analyser. Patients were classified according to the occurrence of AKI and sepsis. Results: Of the 115 patients, 62 (54%) had AKI, of which 43 (69%) had sepsis, and in 19 (31%) non-infectious SIRS. NGAL and PCT were higher in patients with AKI-SIRS compared to No AKI-SIRS (p=0.001 and p=0.02, respectively), and in AKI-Sepsis compared to No AKI-Sepsis (p