PROCALCITONIN

The Procalcitonin (PCT) Test is a blood test used to detect and monitor serious bacterial infections and sepsis (bloodstream infection). Procalcitonin is a protein that increases significantly during bacterial infections but usually remains low in viral infections. This makes the test a valuable tool for distinguishing bacterial infections from viral illnesses, helping clinicians make informed decisions about antibiotic therapy.

The Procalcitonin test is commonly recommended for the diagnosis of bacteremia, septicemia, neonatal sepsis, bacterial infections in neutropenic patients, urinary tract infections (UTIs) with kidney involvement in children, and secondary bacterial infections following surgery. It also helps differentiate bacterial from viral meningitis and community-acquired bacterial versus viral pneumonia. In addition, the test is widely used to monitor the effectiveness of antibacterial treatment, allowing healthcare providers to assess response to therapy and guide antibiotic stewardship. The results should always be interpreted together with the patient’s symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and other laboratory findings for accurate diagnosis and management.