Procalcitonin
Clinical Background:
Increased procalcitonin concentrations are often found in patients suffering from bacterial sepsis, especially severe sepsis and septic shock. Procalcitonin is considered as a prognostic marker to ...
Increased procalcitonin concentrations are often found in patients suffering from bacterial sepsis, especially severe sepsis and septic shock. Procalcitonin is considered as a prognostic marker to support outcome prediction in sepsis patients.
In patients suffering from community-acquired respiratory tract infections or ventilator‑induced pneumonia procalcitonin has been proposed as a guide for the decision of antibiotic treatment necessity and to monitor treatment success.
Test Details
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Discipline:
Biochemistry
Biochemistry
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Specimen Container Adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL blood
1 mL blood
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
0.5 mL blood
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Sample Stability:
Unseparated sample: 24 hours
Separated sample:
- at 15-25C: 24 hours
- at 4ºC: 2 days
- at -20C: 13 months
Unseparated sample: 24 hours
Separated sample:
- at 15-25C: 24 hours
- at 4ºC: 2 days
- at -20C: 13 months
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Reference Ranges:
< 0.5 ng/mL represent a low risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock
>2.0 ng/mL represent a high risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock
< 0.5 ng/mL represent a low risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock
>2.0 ng/mL represent a high risk of severe sepsis and/or septic shock
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Other Info:
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable
Lithium heparin plasma sample also acceptable
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Routine Contact Name:
Duty Biochemist
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Routine Telephone:
Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719Freeman: 0191 244 8889
RVI: 0191 282 9719 -
Routine Email: