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Procalcitonin
MessageTest performed at York Hospital Laboratory.
Test Code
PCT
Preferred Specimen
0.2 mL serum collected in a serum separator tube (SST)
Other Acceptable Specimens
0.2 mL serum collected in a no additive (red-top) tube, transferred to a plastic screw-cap vial
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube or EDTA (lavender-top)
0.2 mL plasma collected in a lithium heparin (green-top) gel separator tube or EDTA (lavender-top)
Transport Temperature
Refrigerated
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 24 hours
Refrigerate: 48 hours
Frozen: 2 months
Refrigerate: 48 hours
Frozen: 2 months
Methodology
Chemiluminescence
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same Day
Available STAT
Reference Range
< 0.10 ng/mL: NEGATIVE
Diagnosis of systemic bacterial infections/sepsis:
< 0.50 ng/mL: Low risk for infection/sepsis. Local bacterial infection possible
≥ 0.50 – < 2.00 ng/mL: Sepsis is possible; other conditions possible
≥ 2.00 – < 10.0 ng/mL: Sepsis is likely
≥ 10.0 ng/mL: Severe bacterial sepsis or septic shock probable
Diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections:
< 0.10 Bacterial infection very unlikely
≥ 0.10 – < 0.25 ng/mL: Bacterial infection unlikely
≥ 0.25 – < 0.50 ng/mL: Bacterial infection likely
≥ 0.50 ng/mL: Bacterial infection very likely
Procalcitonin levels should be evaluated in context of all laboratory findings and total clinical status of the patient.
Diagnosis of systemic bacterial infections/sepsis:
< 0.50 ng/mL: Low risk for infection/sepsis. Local bacterial infection possible
≥ 0.50 – < 2.00 ng/mL: Sepsis is possible; other conditions possible
≥ 2.00 – < 10.0 ng/mL: Sepsis is likely
≥ 10.0 ng/mL: Severe bacterial sepsis or septic shock probable
Diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections:
< 0.10 Bacterial infection very unlikely
≥ 0.10 – < 0.25 ng/mL: Bacterial infection unlikely
≥ 0.25 – < 0.50 ng/mL: Bacterial infection likely
≥ 0.50 ng/mL: Bacterial infection very likely
Procalcitonin levels should be evaluated in context of all laboratory findings and total clinical status of the patient.
Clinical Significance
- To aid in the risk assessment of critically ill patients on their first day of ICU admission for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock
- To aid in assessing the overall change in procalcitonin levels over time in for inpatients with sepsis or septic shock.
- To aid in decision making on antibiotic therapy for patients with suspected or confirmed lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) defined as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute bronchitis, and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).
Performing Laboratory
York Hospital Laboratory
