Procalcitonin Test To Detect Sepsis & Severe Bacterial Infections

The Procalcitonin Test is a blood test that helps doctors identify serious bacterial infections, like sepsis, and guides them in deciding when to use antibiotics. When bacterial infections occurs that response to Procalcitonin (PCT) - a biomarker that is released in our body.

Procalcitonin Test

Here are the basic details of the Procalcitonin Test.

*Price range may vary as per location, lab type, and procedure of lab test.

Procalcitonin Test Means

The Procalcitonin Test is a diagnostic blood test used in healthcare.

• It measures procalcitonin levels in the blood to detect bacterial infections and guide antibiotic treatment.
• It helps assess the risk of severe infections like sepsis.
• Procalcitonin Test results inform clinical decisions for critically ill patients.
• Elevated levels may indicate systemic bacterial infections.

Procalcitonin Test Purpose

The purpose of the Procalcitonin Test is to:

• Procalcitonin Test aids in detecting bacterial infections in critically ill patients.
• It guides antibiotic treatment decisions for more effective care.
• Assess risk of severe infections, like sepsis, through this test.
• Procalcitonin levels help differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial causes.
• Monitoring procalcitonin levels can track the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy.

Procalcitonin Test Preparation

Here is the basic preparation for the Procalcitonin Test.

Before Test

• No special preparation is needed.
• Inform the healthcare provider about any medications or allergies.
• Ensure you're well-hydrated to facilitate blood draw.

During Test

• A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm.
• You may feel a brief needle prick during the blood draw.
• The procedure is usually quick and relatively painless.

After Test

• There are no specific post-test instructions.
• You can resume normal activities immediately.
• Your healthcare provider will discuss the results and any necessary actions.

Procalcitonin Test Procedure

Here is the basic Procalcitonin Test Procedure.

• The patient's arm is cleaned with an antiseptic.
• A healthcare professional inserts a needle into a vein to draw blood.
• The blood sample is collected in a special tube.
• The tube is sent to a laboratory for analysis.
• Procalcitonin levels are measured using specific assays and equipment.
• Results are typically available within a few hours to a day.
• Healthcare providers interpret the results to aid diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Procalcitonin Test Result

• Normal Range: Procalcitonin levels between 0 and 0.05 ng/L are considered normal.
• Low Risk: Levels below 0.5 ng/L suggest a low risk of sepsis.
• High Risk: Levels above 2 ng/L indicate a moderate to high risk of sepsis, with 10 ng/L or higher indicating severe sepsis.

Procalcitonin Test Normal Range

Here is the normal range of the Procalcitonin Test.

Procalcitonin Test Interpretation

Here is the Interpretation of the Procalcitonin Test.

The Procalcitonin Test measures levels of procalcitonin in the blood to detect bacterial infections and assess the risk of sepsis.

Procalcitonin Test High Levels

Here are some possible causes of high Procalcitonin levels:

High procalcitonin levels typically indicate severe bacterial infections, including sepsis, or serious bacterial illnesses requiring urgent medical attention.

Procalcitonin Test Low Levels

Here are some possible causes of low Procalcitonin levels:

Low procalcitonin levels indicate non-bacterial causes, such as viral infections or non-infectious conditions, and may suggest early-stage bacterial infections.

Specimen Requirements For Procalcitonin Test

Here are the specimen requirements for the Procalcitonin Test.

Procalcitonin Test is Safe?

The Procalcitonin Test is generally safe.

• It involves a simple blood draw, which carries minimal risk.
• It's a routine diagnostic test performed in clinical settings.
• Complications are rare but can include bruising or infection at the puncture site.
• The benefits of early infection detection usually outweigh any minimal risks.

When Do You Get Procalcitonin Test Results? 

• Procalcitonin test results are typically available within a few hours to a day.
• Rapid turnaround is crucial in clinical settings for timely decisions.
• The specific reporting time may vary depending on the laboratory and location.

Procalcitonin Test Limitation

Here is the basic limitation of Procalcitonin Test.

• Not a stand-alone diagnosis.
• Levels can be influenced by non-infectious factors.
• Interpretation requires clinical context.
• Reference ranges may vary.
• Limited specificity for certain infections.

Procalcitonin Test Risk Factors

Here are some of the risk factors of the Procalcitonin Test.

• No direct risk factors associated with the Procalcitonin Test.
• Risk factors for conditions it helps diagnose include bacterial infections, recent surgery, chronic illness, and invasive medical devices.
• These factors can increase the likelihood of sepsis or severe bacterial infections that prompt the test.
• The test itself does not introduce additional risks to the patient.
• Interpretation and clinical decisions should consider patient-specific risk factors.

Doctor Recommendations After Procalcitonin Test Result

 Here are the Doctor's recommendations or consult a specialist after the Procalcitonin Test.

Consult an Infectious Disease Specialist for high Procalcitonin results, your Primary Care Physician for normal results, and to assess early-stage bacterial infection with low results.

Procalcitonin Test Price

Here are the estimated Procalcitonin Test Prices in India with different top cities:

*Prices are approximate and vary depending on a specific laboratory or healthcare facility.

Summary

Overall, The Procalcitonin Test aids in diagnosing bacterial infections and sepsis, guiding treatment decisions, with results indicating infection severity. Also check Drlogy Test for detailed information about all medical tests for patients, doctors, scholers and medical students.

Reference

• Procalcitonin - Wikipedia [1].
• Procalcitonin Test - NIH [2].