While this blog has discussed hepcidin’s essential role in iron homeostasis (see below), it performs well as a marker of sepsis as it is also an acute phase reactant (J Pediatr 2012; 162: 67-71).
Hepcidin is known to contribute to host defense by depriving microbes of access to iron and through direct antimicrobial properties. In this study, the authors compared the performance of hepcidin to C-reactive protein (CRP) from the serum of 44 infants with late-onset sepsis. Specimens were obtained in the acute and convalescent periods.
Results:
- Hepcidin levels were increased 4-fold in infants with sepsis compared without infants who were not septic (P<.0001). Levels returned to normal following therapy.
- Hepcidin levels >92.2 ng/mL correctly identified 91% of all infants (PPV 100%, NPV 87%, specificity 100%, sensitivity 76%)
- Models combining hepcidin with CRP did not perform better than hepcidin alone.
- Hepcidin values were comparable to CRP, and possibly more useful. The authors stated that a CRP value of >7.95 mg/dL had a PPV of 89%, NPV 74%, specificity of 96%, and sensitivity of 47%.
- Hepcidin has been reported to peak at 6 hours after interleukin-6 injection in humans whereas CRP peaks 24-48 hours after an inflammatory stimulus.
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gutsandgrowth 