View source for Tests:Procalcitonin

{{DISPLAYTITLE: Procalcitonin, Plasma}}  

[[Category:Tests]] 

[[Category:Biochemistry]]  
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |
== Overview ==
|-
|Department 
|Biochemistry 
|-
|Test Code 
|PCTN
|-
|Synonyms 
|PCT

PCTN   
|-
|Availability
|Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours 
|-
|Turnaround Time 
|2 hours 
|-
|Stability – Add test 
|8 hours unseparated  

48 hours when separated from the cells and/or gel 
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Specimen Requirements ==
|-
|Specimen 
|Plasma

Serum
|-
|Preferred 
|6 mL Li-Hep <span style="background:#3cb371"> Green-Top </span>  
|-
|Acceptable 
|6 mL Plain <span style="background:#e30022"> Red-Top</span>  
|-
|Unacceptable
|Grossly haemolysed samples
|-
|Specimen Transportation 
|
|-
|Paediatric Requirements   
|600 µL <span style="background:#99e6b3"> Li-Hep Microtainer </span>   
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Aliquot Requirements ==
|-
|Sample 
|Serum 

Plasma   
|-
|Preferred Volume
|1 mL
|-
|Minimum Volume 
|0.3 mL
|-
|Aliquot Transportation 
|
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Clinical Information ==
|-
|Reference Intervals 
|There are two ranges: Standard ranges and associated comments, and ranges for neonates within the first 48hrs after birth.  

 ''Standard ranges:''  

'''''PCT <0.5 ng/mL''''' – Systemic infection (sepsis) is unlikely.  Local bacterial infection is possible.  

'''''PCT >0.5 and <2 ng/mL''''' – Systemic infection is possible but take into count the various conditions are known to induce PCT as well.  

'''''PCT >2 and <10 ng/m'''''L – Systemic infection is likely, unless other causes known.  

'''''PCT >10 ng/mL''''' – Important SIRS almost exclusively due to bacterial sepsis or septic shock.  

 ''Neonate ranges:''  
{| class="wikitable"
|Age in hours
|PCT ng/m
|-
|0-6
|< 2
|-
|6-12
|< 8
|-
|12-18
|< 15
|-
|18-30
|< 21
|-
|30-36
|< 15
|-
|33-42
|< 8
|-
|42-48
|< 2
|}
|-
|Test Method 
|Abbott Alinity Ci analyser, using Abbott reagents.   
|-
|Advanced Notice 
|Not required    
|-
|Patient Preparation 
|Not required    
|-
! colspan="2" |
== Comments ==
|-
| colspan="2" |PCT levels can be increased in certain circumstances without infectious origin.  These include, but are not limited to:  

* Prolonged or severe cardiogenic shock  
* Prolonged severe organ perfusion anomalies  
* Small cell lung cancer or medullary C-cell carcinoma of the thyroid  
* Early after major trauma, major surgery intervention, severe burns  
* Treatments which stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines
|}
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