Tests:Procalcitonin: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE: Procalcitonin}} Full Test List Biochemistry Tests {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" | === ''Overview'' === |- |Department |Biochemistry |- |Test Code |PCTN |- |Synonyms |PCT PCTN   |- |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 Type |Plasma Serum |- |Specimen Transportation |..."
 
Updated method Alinity
 
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{{DISPLAYTITLE: Procalcitonin}}   
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Procalcitonin, Plasma}}   


[[Category:Tests]]  
[[Category:Tests]]  
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{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |
! colspan="2" |
=== ''Overview'' ===
== Overview ==
|-
|-
|Department  
|Department  
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PCTN    
PCTN    
|-
|Availability
|Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours
|-
|-
|Turnaround Time  
|Turnaround Time  
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|-
|-
! colspan="2" |
! colspan="2" |
=== ''Specimen Requirements'' ===
== Specimen Requirements ==
|-
|-
|Specimen Type
|Specimen  
|Plasma
|Plasma


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


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|-
|-
! colspan="2" |
! colspan="2" |
=== ''Clinical Information'' ===
== Clinical Information ==
|-
|-
|Reference Intervals  
|Reference Intervals  
|There are two ranges: Standard ranges and associated comments, and ranges for neonates within the first 48hrs after birth.  
|There are two ranges: Standard ranges and associated comments, and ranges for neonates within the first 48hrs after birth.  


 
 ''Standard ranges:''  
 
'''''Standard ranges:'''''  


'''''PCT <0.5 ng/mL''''' – Systemic infection (sepsis) is unlikely.  Local bacterial infection is possible.  
'''''PCT <0.5 ng/mL''''' – Systemic infection (sepsis) is unlikely.  Local bacterial infection is possible.  
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'''''PCT >10 ng/mL''''' – Important SIRS almost exclusively due to bacterial sepsis or septic shock.  
'''''PCT >10 ng/mL''''' – Important SIRS almost exclusively due to bacterial sepsis or septic shock.  


 
 ''Neonate ranges:''  
 
'''''Neonate ranges:'''''  
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|Age in hours
|Age in hours
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|-
|-
|Test Method  
|Test Method  
|Abbott Alinity Ci analyser, using Abbott reagents.    
|Abbott Alinity i series analyser using Abbott reagents.  Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.
|-
|-
|Advanced Notice  
|Advanced Notice  
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|-
|-
! colspan="2" |
! colspan="2" |
=== ''Comments'' ===
== Comments ==
|-
|-
| colspan="2" |PCT levels can be increased in certain circumstances without infectious origin.  These include, but are not limited to:  
| 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 or severe cardiogenic shock  
 
* Prolonged severe organ perfusion anomalies  
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  
Small cell lung cancer or medullary C-cell carcinoma of the thyroid  
* Treatments which stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines
 
Early after major trauma, major surgery intervention, severe burns  
 
Treatments which stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines  
|}
|}
{{DocMeta
| owner = Crossley1
| review_ping =
}}
<!-- review-ping: 2026-09-14T08:14:30.627Z -->

Latest revision as of 21:49, 23 September 2026

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

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Plasma

Serum

Preferred 6 mL Li-Hep Green-Top
Acceptable 6 mL Plain Red-Top 
Unacceptable Grossly haemolysed samples
Specimen Transportation
Paediatric Requirements   600 µL Li-Hep Microtainer   

Aliquot Requirements

Sample Serum

Plasma  

Preferred Volume 1 mL
Minimum Volume 0.3 mL
Aliquot Transportation

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/mL – 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:  

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 i series analyser using Abbott reagents.  Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay.
Advanced Notice Not required    
Patient Preparation Not required    

Comments

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
Owner Clair Crossley (Crossley1)
Last reviewed 23.09.2026
Next review 23.09.2027 (OK)


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