ARUP's Laboratory Test Directory

Procalcitonin : 0020763

Mnemonic: PCT

Methodology: Immunofluorescent
Performed: Sun-Sat
Reported: Within 24 hours
Specimen Required: Collect:  One 4 mL plasma separator tube or serum separator tube..

Transport:  2 mL serum or plasma at 2-8°C. (Min: 0.3 mL) Submit in ARUP Standard Transport Tube.

Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.

Pediatric Collection/Transport:  

Submit specimen according to Biological Substance, Category B, shipping guidelines.

Remarks:  Remove serum or plasma from cells ASAP. The same specimen type (serum, plasma) should be used throughout the patient's clinical course.  Serum separater tubes or plain red tubes need to sit for 15-20 minutes for proper clot formation and to ensure the absence of fibrin in the serum which can interfere with this assay.

Unacceptable Conditions:  Specimens collected in citrate anticoagulant.

Stability:  After separation from cells: Ambient: 24 hours; Refrigerated: 5 days; Frozen: 1 month
Reference Interval:
Less than 0.10 ng/mL
Interpretive Data: Procalcitonin > 2.00 ng/mL:
Procalcitonin levels above 2.00 ng/mL on the first day of ICU admission represent a high risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock.

Procalcitonin < 0.50 ng/mL:
Procalcitonin levels below 0.50 ng/mL on the first day of ICU admission represent a low risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock.

If the procalcitonin measurement is performed shortly after the systemic infection process has started (usually less than 6 hours), these values may still be low. As various non-infectious conditions are known to induce procalcitonin as well, procalcitonin levels between 0.50 ng/mL and 2.00 ng/mL should be reviewed carefully to take into account the specific clinical background and condition(s) of the individual patient.
Note: Procalcitonin levels below 0.50 ng/mL do not exclude an infection, because localized infections (without systemic signs) may also be associated with such low levels.
CPT Code(s): 84145
 
 

 

 

 
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