Diagnostic and prognostic value of inflammatory parameters including neopterin in pneumonia, COPD and acute exacerbations of COPD

Introduction: Acute exacerbations and community acquired pneumonia (CAP) are severe complications in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), increasing hospitalization rates, morbidity and mortality. In this study inflammatory parameters including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and serum neopterin (NPT) were determined to evaluate their prognostic and diagnostic value, especially to differentiate between patients with CAP+COPD and with acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD) without pneumonia. Material & Methods: 131 patients (CAP: n = 65, mean age 65y, CAP+ COPD: n = 29, mean age…