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Test Code LAB90121 Procalcitonin

Useful For

  • Diagnosis of bacteremia and septicemia in adults and children (including neonates)
  • Diagnosis of renal involvement in urinary tract infection in children
  • Diagnosis of bacterial infection in neutropenic patients
  • Diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring of septic shock
  • Diagnosis of systemic secondary infection post-surgery, and in severe trauma, burns, and multiorgan failure
  • Differential diagnosis of bacterial versus viral meningitis
  • Differential diagnosis of community-acquired bacterial versus viral pneumonia
  • Monitoring of therapeutic response to antibacterial therapy

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay

Performing Laboratory

Bozeman Health Laboratory Services

Specimen Requirements

Specimen Type: Serum
Container/Tube: Red top or Gold top
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL

Collection Instructions:  Allow specimen to clot.  Spin down and send 1 mL serum refrigerated.

Specimen Rejection:  Hemolyzed and/or lipemic samples should be avoided.

Specimen Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

 

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum Ambient 24 hours
  Refrigerated 48 hours
  Frozen 12 months

Reference Values

0.00-0.05 ng/mL

 

Interpretive Information:

0.00-0.05=Healthy Individuals

0.05-0.50=Local Infections

0.50-2.00=Systemic Infections (Sepsis)

2.00-10.00=Severe Sepsis

>10.00=Septic Shock

Day(s) Test Set Up

Monday through Sunday

Test Classification and CPT Coding

84145

Additional Information

  • A procalcitonin level above 2.0 ng/mL on the first day of admission is associated with a high risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock. 
  •  A procalcitonin level below 0.5 ng/mL on the first day of admission is associated with a low risk for progression to severe sepsis and/or septic shock. 
  • Neonates can have an elevated procalcitonin level for 72 hours post birth, peaking at approximately 24 hours post birth