Evaluation of changes in creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels in patients with bacterial infection
Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Biology and Pharmacy, 2026, 16(02), 095-104.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjbp.2026.16.2.0032
Publication history:
Received on 21 February 2026; revised on 04 April 2026; accepted on 07April 2026
Abstract:
Background: Bacterial infections contribute to the high rates of morbidity in the world, and this is largely because these infections can cause cellular and tissue damage. Biochemical markers such as creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are the main markers used to determine tissue damage, although the changes in these markers during bacterial infections and their relationship to the severity of the infection remain poorly understood.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study design was adopted for the research. The research was conducted in Al-Hawija General Hospital in Iraq from December 2025 to February 2026. A total of 150 samples were collected for the research, comprising 100 bacterial infection patients and 50 healthy controls. Biochemical analysis of CK and LDH levels in the blood samples of the participants was carried out by an automated enzymatic kinetic method. The data analysis of the results was done by the SPSS version 26 statistical tool. The results are expressed as mean and SD. The significance level of p < 0.05 is considered for the results.
Results: The levels of CK and LDH in patients infected by bacteria were significantly higher compared to those in healthy controls (CK: 210 ± 45 U/L vs. 120 ± 30 U/L, p < 0.001; LDH: 480 ± 90 U/L vs. 220 ± 50 U/L, p < 0.001). Sepsis infection showed the highest levels of these enzymes, while urinary tract infections showed the lowest levels. The levels of these enzymes increased proportionally in accordance with the severity of the infections. LDH levels were more sensitive to tissue damage. Patients aged 60+ years had higher levels of these enzymes compared to those aged <60 years. However, gender had no influence on the levels of these enzymes. After one week of antibiotic treatment, the levels of these enzymes decreased significantly: CK from 210 to 160 U/L, LDH from 480 to 320 U/L.
Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the changes in serum CK and LDH levels in patients with established bacterial infections, to determine the relationship between these enzymes and the nature and severity of infection, to determine the impact of age and gender on enzyme levels, and to monitor the effects of antibiotic treatment.
Keywords:
Bacterial Infections; Creatine Kinase (CK); Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH); Tissue Damage; Infection Severity; Biomarkers; Antibiotic Therapy
Full text article in PDF:
Copyright information:
Copyright © 2026 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0