Prokalcitonii

Prokalcitonii is a laboratory test that measures the level of procalcitonin in the blood. Procalcitonin is a protein that is a precursor to calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that helps regulate calcium levels. In healthy individuals, procalcitonin levels in the blood are very low. However, in response to certain bacterial infections, particularly sepsis, procalcitonin levels can rise significantly.

The procalcitonin test is primarily used to help diagnose and manage bacterial infections. It can be particularly useful in distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections, as viral infections generally do not cause a significant increase in procalcitonin. This distinction is important because the treatment for bacterial and viral infections differs. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections but not viral ones.

Elevated procalcitonin levels can indicate the presence of a severe bacterial infection and may prompt a physician to initiate or adjust antibiotic therapy. Conversely, if procalcitonin levels are low, it may suggest that a bacterial infection is unlikely or resolving, potentially allowing for the discontinuation of antibiotics. The test's utility extends to monitoring the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment and assessing prognosis in patients with sepsis. Factors other than infection can sometimes influence procalcitonin levels, so interpretation of the test results should always be done in the context of a patient's overall clinical condition and other laboratory findings.