What is PCT? What is the role of PCT in Covid-19? Why is the test done? Everything around this, that you should know, in this post and of course our doctors always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form down below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a pro-inflammatory marker that has greater specificity than other biomarkers in identifying sepsis. Procalcitonin is a substance produced by body cells in response to tissue injury and bacterial infection. Its level in blood increases significantly in the cases of systemic bacterial infection and sepsis.
The procalcitonin test along with other tests and examinations detect or rule out sepsis in a seriously ill person that helps in avoiding life-threatening complications. A procalcitonin test can help determine bacterial infection in the early stages and progression to severe bacterial sepsis and septic shock in relation with other laboratory and clinical findings. In patients with suspected or confirmed lower respiratory tract infections, PCT helps in decision making on antibiotic therapy- whether antibiotics should be started or stopped for patients.
PCT testing in COVID patients provides prognostic information, improves antibiotic therapy decisions and, can improve clinical outcomes.
PCT in COVID patient Helps in
1) Diagnosing and ruling out superimposed bacterial infection
• PCT levels <0.5 µg/L → low risk for bacterial coinfection and adverse outcome
• PCT levels ≥0.5 µg/L → high-risk patients, bacterial coinfection likely
2) Assessing disease severity
• Increased PCT values are related to an ~5-fold higher risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Patients with mild disease had PCT values <0.25 µg/L or even <0.1 µg/L.
• Patients with a high risk of bacterial infection and severe disease have PCT >0.5 µg/L.
3) Guide initiation and cessation of antibiotic treatment
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** The text on this website is sourced from websites like emedicine and/or other verified material by government agencies around the globe along with valuable inputs and additions by our team. The content of this page is proofread and updated by the team of doctors, every once in a while, to provide the most accurate information.
