Serum Procalcitonin (PCT)

Specimen Required

3-5cc Clotted Blood or Serum

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

To help diagnose sepsis in a person who is critically ill; to help determine the risk of severe sepsis leading to septic shock in a person who has sepsis; to distinguish bacterial from non-bacterial infections.

When this test is required

The procalcitonin test may be requested with other tests, when a seriously ill person has symptoms that suggest that they may have sepsis or severe bacterial infection. Procalcitonin is normally used as an early detection test, requested within the first day of hospital admission. Complications of sepsis may include: Chills, fever Feeling sick (nausea) Rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat Confusion Decreased urine outputMore severe symptoms include inflammation throughout the body and formation of many tiny blood clots in the veins and capillaries. One or more organs may begin to stop working (multi-organ failure) and there may be a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Procalcitonin may be requested on several occasions to follow antimicrobial therapy in persons suspected of having sepsis.

What the Test Detects

This test measures the amount of procalcitonin in the blood. Procalcitonin is made during the process of producing the thyroid hormone calcitonin. It is normally produced by special cells in the thyroid gland called C-cells and is present in low levels in the blood. However, it may also be made by other cells in the body when stimulated by certain disease processes, in particular whole body bacterial infection (systemic bacterial…This test measures the amount of procalcitonin in the blood. Procalcitonin is made during the process of producing the thyroid hormone calcitonin. It is normally produced by special cells in the thyroid gland called C-cells and is present in low levels in the blood. However, it may also be made by other cells in the body when stimulated by certain disease processes, in particular whole body bacterial infection (systemic bacterial infection or sepsis) as opposed to just local bacterial infections. Other reasons for increased procalcitonin include infection from other causes, tissue damage due to events such as trauma, surgery, pancreatitis, burns, heart attack; and rapid and severe organ (kidney, heart, lung etc) transplant rejection.Levels of procalcitonin in the blood increase rapidly and to high concentrations when a person has sepsis. They are not as particularly increased when a person has a viral infection or other illnesses which may have the same or similar symptoms as sepsis. Difference in stimulous gives procalcitonin the potential to be used to help detect severe bacterial infection at an early stage and to be able to distinguish between a bacterial infection and another cause of a serious illness. See MoreSee Less

Preparation for the Test

None

Sample Requirements

A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm

Additional Notes

The procalcitonin test is not a replacement for other laboratory tests. Rather it is additional information that help earlier treatment.Early detection of systemic bacterial infections, including bacterial pneumonia and bacterial meningitis, is important because they can be life-threatening and can be readily treated. However, the inappropriate use of antibiotics in cases where the illness is not bacterial in origin may cause delays in proper treatment, can encourage the development of antibiotic resistant organisms.The procalcitonin test is being studied in additional populations, expanding beyond critically ill ITU patients. As more data are gathered, the clinical usefulness of procalcitonin will be better understood and its intended use(s) more fully defined.

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