Procalcitonin

PROCAL RS - NOCO

1 mL Plasma Green Top (LiHep)

0.5 mL

1 mL Serum from SST or Red Top

Temperature	Time
Ambient	24 hours
Refrigerated	48 hours
Frozen	3 months

Monday through Sunday; Continuously

Same Day

Refer to the Chemistry Reference Range and Critical Results documents in the Resources file on the facility test directory page. 

PCT is the prohormone of hormone calcitonin, but PCT and calcitonin are distinct proteins. Calcitonin is exclusively produced by Ccells of the thyroid gland in response to hormonal stimuli, whereas PCT can be produced by several cell types and many organs in response to proinflammatory stimuli, in particular by bacterial products. Depending on the clinical background, PCT concentration above 0.1μg/L can indicate clinically relevant bacterial infection, requiring antibiotic treatment. PCT levels rise rapidly (within 6-12 hours) after a bacterial infectious insult with systemic consequences. At a PCT concentration >0.5μg/L, patient should be considered at risk of developing severe sepsis or septic shock. On the other hand, relief of septic infection is accompanied by a decrease in PCT concentration which returns to normal with a half-life of 24 hours, i.e., continuous decline of PCT is indicative of effective source control measures and has been implicated in safe de-escalation of antibiotic therapy. Early after multiple traumas, major surgery, severe burns, or in neonates, PCT levels can be elevated independently of an infectious process, but return to baseline is usually rapid. Viral infections, bacterial colonization, localized infections, allergic disorders, autoimmune diseases, and transplant rejection do not usually induce a significant PCT response (values <0.5 µg/L). Therefore, PCT is an important marker enabling specific differentiation between a bacterial infection and other causes of inflammatory reactions.