Procalcitonin

Parameter used to diagnose and monitor bacterial infections bacterial infections. Elevated procalcitonin levels can indicate bacterial infections.

What is procalcitonin

Procalcitonin is a protein produced in response to a bacterial infection. It is released into the blood as a result of the body's inflammatory reaction of the body. The concentration of procalcitonin rises rapidly already at the beginning of infection (after 2 hours), much faster than that of CRP (CRP is detected after 12 h). However, its concentration can also increase under the influence of other factors, such as surgery, trauma, viral infections and severe infections fungal infections.

Testing procalcitonin levels

Procalcitonin testing is a rapid test diagnostic test that allows early diagnosis of the disease and implementation of appropriate treatment.

Procalcitonin implementation of appropriate treatment.

Determination of procalcitonin concentration:

• enables early confirmation of the diagnosis of infection bacterial infection or even sepsis and immediate initiation of treatment treatment,
• is an essential element in assessing the severity of sepsis, generalized inflammatory reaction, shock, organ failure,
• differentiates infections of bacterial and viral etiology,
• it also facilitates the decision to terminate antibiotic therapy,