Test Code PROCLT Procalcitonin, LAB2677

Performing Laboratory

St. Luke's Hospital Cedar Rapids

Container/Tube:

Preferred: Green-top lithium heparin tube

Acceptable: Gold-top serum gel tube or plain red-top tube, EDTA plasma (see Note)

Minimum Volume: 18 uL plus dead volume

Stability: Stable for 24 hours at room temperature, refrigerate up to 48 hours. For prolonged storage, freeze samples up to 12 months.

<0.10

PCT Level	Interpretation
<0.10 - 0.25 ng/mL	Low probability of bacteria infection Antibiotic therapy generally not indicated unless clinical context warrants use
0.26 - 0.50 ng/mL	Increased probability of bacterial infection Antibiotic therapy may be considered based on clinical evaluation
> 0.50 ng/mL	Higher probability of bacterial infection Antibiotic therapy encouraged with consideration for false positive results False positives can be seen in patients with a variety of illnesses, including but not limited to severe trauma, shock, recent surgery, burns, renal insufficiency, severe liver disease, COVID-19, and certain malignancies.

Neonates <2 ng/mL at birth, rises to ≤20 ng/mL at 18 to 30 hours, then falls to adult level by 72 hours.

Monday through Sunday

Procalcitonin is useful in the detection of bacterial infections as well as in determining the risk of severe sepsis in patients.

Sandwich Electrochemiluminesence

84145

STAT within 1 hour of receipt

Routine within 2 hours of receipt