Procalcitonin Test

The PCT test is conducted to detect severe sepsis infection, bacterial infections like pneumonia & meningitis or to detect urinary tract infections in children.

Reference Range: PCT< 0.05 UG/L for normal persons.

Interpretation:

• If PCT<0.5 UG/L then, systemic infection (sepsis) is not likely. There is a possibility of local bacterial infection.
• If PCT >= 0.5 UG/L - < 2 UG/L then, sepsis is possible but other infectious conditions may not be ruled out.
• If PCT >=2 UG/L - <10 UG/L then, systemic infection sepsis is likely unless other causes are known.
• If PCT >= 10 UG/L then, Important systemic inflammatory response almost exclusively due to severe bacterial sepsis or septic shock.

LimitationsProcalcitonin is not indicated to be used as a stand-alone diagnostic assay to determine the risk of 28-day all-cause mortality.Increased PCT levels may not always be related to systemic infection. These include, but are not limited to:• Patients experiencing major trauma and/or recent surgical procedure including extracorporeal circulation or burns• Patients undergoing treatment with OKT3 antibodies, OK-432, interleukins, TNF-alpha, and other drugs that stimulate the release of proinflammatory cytokines or result in anaphylaxis• Patients diagnosed with active medullary C-cell carcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma, or bronchial carcinoid• Patients with acute or chronic viral hepatitis and/or decompensated severe liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh Class C)• Patients with prolonged or severe cardiogenic shock, prolonged severe organ perfusion anomalies, or after resuscitation from cardiac arrest• Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis treatment; patients with biliary pancreatitis, chemical pneumonitis or heat stroke• Patients with invasive fungal infections (eg, candidiasis, aspergillosis) or acute attacks of Plasmodium falciparum malaria• Neonates during the first two days of lifeThe results of the procalcitonin test should be evaluated in the context of all laboratory findings and the total clinical status of the patient.In cases where laboratory results do not agree with the clinical picture or history, additional tests should be performed.There is no uniformly recognized interpretation of the change in PCT concentration levels for the prediction of mortality, and overall mortality is strongly dependent on many factors, including preëxisting patient risk factors and clinical course.The need to continue ICU care at Day four and other covariates (eg, age, SOFA score) are also significant predictors of 28-day cumulative mortality risk.The assay is unaffected by icterus (bilirubin <428 μmol/L or <25 mg/dL), hemolysis (Hgb <0.559 mmol/L or <0.900 g/dL), lipemia (Intralipid <1500 mg/dL) and biotin (<123 nmol/L or <30 ng/mL). Recovery was within 15% of the initial value.Samples from patients routinely exposed to animals or animal serum products may contain heterophilic antibodies causing an atypical result. This assay has been formulated to mitigate the risk of this type of interference; however, potential interactions between rare sera and test components can occur.In rare cases, interference due to extremely high titers of antibodies to analyte-specific antibodies, streptavidin or ruthenium can occur. These effects are minimized by suitable test design. In vitro tests were performed on 27 commonly used pharmaceuticals. No interference with the assay was found.

Average price range of the test is between Rs.1800 to Rs.3680 depending on the factors of city, quality and availablity.