Procalcitonin is a precursor to the hormone calcitonin, a relatively specific marker for severe bacterial infection in patients with suspected sepsis.
Tube
01 (SE) – Serum Gel
ID
Tests&Tubes0097
Additional information
Procalcitonin is normally produced by the parafollicular cells of the thyroid but can also be produced by the neuroendocrine cells of the lung and the intestine in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Elevated procalcitonin concentrations occur in systemic bacterial infections. Relatively low concentrations are seen with viral infections or inflammatory diseases. Procalcitonin is more sensitive than CRP in discriminating between bacterial and viral infections. Low procalcitonin predicts the absence of bacteraemia/sepsis. An increase in procalcitonin in response to infection occurs before a rise in CRP.
Turn around
A&E: N/A
Day Case: N/A
In-Patient: 6 Hours
Out-Patient: N/A
GP: N/A
Send to
Blood Sciences Cross Site
Contact
For further details please contact Ä¢¹½tvÊÓƵ Pathology customer services: [email protected].
Collection Con
Minimum volume – 750µl serum / plasma
Instructions for Lab Staff: Standard lab processing – No special requirements.
Sample REQ
Blood
Ref. Range Notes
Units
µ²µ/³¢