Thermo Fisher Scientific - Scientific Research

What is Procalcitonin (PCT)?

PCT is the prohormone of calcitonin. Calcitonin is produced exclusively in the thyroid gland. In 2001, Müller, B. et al., found that PCT is ubiquitously and uniformly expressed in multiple tissues throughout the body in response to sepsis. Elevated circulating levels of PCT are important markers in response to microbial infections and a powerful tool in the early detection of sepsis.

The FDA has cleared a number of PCT assays for use in conjunction with other laboratory findings and clinical assessments to aid in the risk assessment of the critically ill patients on their first day of ICU admission for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock.

PCT concentrations and sepsis risk

Less than 0.5 ng/mL - Low risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock.
Between 0.5 and 2 ng/mL - Sepsis should be considered.
Greater than 2 ng/mL - High risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock. PCT levels must always be interpreted in the clinical context.

References

510(K) Premarket Notification Database, U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Web, August 2012.

Müller B, et al., Ubiquitous expression of the calcitonin-i gene in multiple tissues in response to sepsis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86(1):396-404.

Brunkhorst FM, et al., Kinetics of procalcitonin in iatrogenic sepsis. Intens Care Med 1998; 24(8):888-892.

Meisner M, Procalcitonin: Experience with a new diagnostic tool for bacterial infection and systemic inflammation. J Lab Med 1999; 23(5):263-272.

Harbarth S, et al., Diagnostic value of procalcitonin, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 in critically ill patients admitted with suspected sepsis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001; 164 (3):396-402.

Müller B, et al., Procalcitonin for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Therapy of Bacterial Infections. Crit Care Med 2000; 28(4):977-983.

Meisner M, Procalcitonin - Biochemistry and Clinical Diagnosis, 1st edition. Bremen: UNI-MED, 2010 ISBN 978-3-8374-1241-3.

Morgenthaler N, et al., Detection of Procalcitonin (PCT) in Healthy Controls and Patients with Local Infection by a Sensitive ILMA. Clin Lab 2002; 48:263-270.

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