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Procalcitonin
Test CodePCT
CPT Codes
84145
Preferred Specimen
GREEN Lithium Heparin Plasma
Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
SST Serum Separator, Red No Gel
Transport Container
GREEN Lithium Heparin
Transport Temperature
Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
Room Temp: 24 Hours; Refrigerated: 48 Hours
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Gross Hemolysis
Methodology
Vitros 7600
Reference Range
0.00-0.08 ng/mL; Vitros BRAHMS Procalcitonin method
Procalcitonin (PCT) levels may be used to aid in decision making on antibiotic therapy for patients with suspected or confirmed lower respiratory tract infections.
PCT should always be interpreted in the clinical context of the patient. Therefore, clinicians should use the PCT results in conjunction with other laboratory findings and clinical signs of the patient.
In order to assess treatment success and to support a decision to discontinue antibiotic therapy, follow up samples should be tested once every 1-2 days, based upon physician discretion considering patient's evolution and progress. Antibiotic therapy may be adjusted according to the description below:
*Discontinuation: Antibiotic therapy may be discontinued if the PCT Current Result is <= 0.25ng/mL or if the Delta PCT is >80%.
Delta PCT=[(PCT peak-PCT current)/(PCT peak)]*100
• PCT peak: Highest observed PCT concentration
• PCT current: most recent PCT concentration
Initiating antibiotic therapy should be considered regardless of PCT result if the patient is clinically unstable, is at high risk for adverse outcome, has strong evidence of bacterial pathogen, or the clinical context indicates antibiotic therapy is warranted.
If antibiotics are withheld, reassess if symptoms persist/worsen and/or repeat PCT measurement within 6–24 hours.
PCT Value -Antibiotic Recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------
<0.10 ng/mL -Strongly discouraged; Repeat in 6 hrs
0.10 - 0.25 ng/mL -Discouraged; Repeat in 6 hrs
0.26 - 0.50 ng/mL -Encouraged; Repeat q24 hrs
>0.50 ng/mL -Strongly encouraged; Repeat q24 hrs
Procalcitonin (PCT) levels may be used to aid in decision making on antibiotic therapy for patients with suspected or confirmed lower respiratory tract infections.
PCT should always be interpreted in the clinical context of the patient. Therefore, clinicians should use the PCT results in conjunction with other laboratory findings and clinical signs of the patient.
In order to assess treatment success and to support a decision to discontinue antibiotic therapy, follow up samples should be tested once every 1-2 days, based upon physician discretion considering patient's evolution and progress. Antibiotic therapy may be adjusted according to the description below:
*Discontinuation: Antibiotic therapy may be discontinued if the PCT Current Result is <= 0.25ng/mL or if the Delta PCT is >80%.
Delta PCT=[(PCT peak-PCT current)/(PCT peak)]*100
• PCT peak: Highest observed PCT concentration
• PCT current: most recent PCT concentration
Initiating antibiotic therapy should be considered regardless of PCT result if the patient is clinically unstable, is at high risk for adverse outcome, has strong evidence of bacterial pathogen, or the clinical context indicates antibiotic therapy is warranted.
If antibiotics are withheld, reassess if symptoms persist/worsen and/or repeat PCT measurement within 6–24 hours.
PCT Value -Antibiotic Recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------
<0.10 ng/mL -Strongly discouraged; Repeat in 6 hrs
0.10 - 0.25 ng/mL -Discouraged; Repeat in 6 hrs
0.26 - 0.50 ng/mL -Encouraged; Repeat q24 hrs
>0.50 ng/mL -Strongly encouraged; Repeat q24 hrs
Clinical Significance
Procalcitonin - Used in the diagnosis of bacteremia and septicemia in adults and children (including neonates), renal involvement in urinary tract infection in children, bacterial infection in neutropenic patients, and in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of septic shock, systemic secondary infection post-surgery, as well as in severe trauma, burns, and multiorgan failure. Differential diagnosis of bacterial versus viral meningitis. Differential diagnosis of community-acquired bacterial versus viral pneumonia. Monitoring of therapeutic response to antibacterial therapy.
Performed By
RFGH Laboratory
Performing Laboratory
RFGH Laboratory
