prokaltsitonein

Prokaltsitonin, also known as procalcitonin or PCT, is a peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin. It is produced primarily by C cells of the thyroid gland, but during systemic bacterial infections and inflammatory responses, its production is significantly elevated in various tissues throughout the body. This increase makes procalcitonin a valuable biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring bacterial infections and sepsis.

Procalcitonin levels in the blood are generally low in healthy individuals. However, these levels rise markedly in response to bacterial infections, especially sepsis, whereas viral infections tend to produce minimal or no increase. This differential response makes procalcitonin a useful tool for distinguishing bacterial infections from viral illnesses, guiding antibiotic therapy, and assessing the severity of infection.

Clinically, procalcitonin testing is employed in intensive care units and emergency settings to aid decision-making regarding the initiation or discontinuation of antibiotics. Elevated procalcitonin levels correlate with the severity of bacterial infection and can assist in prognosis. Conversely, decreasing levels over time often indicate effective treatment response.

Procalcitonin has a relatively short half-life, facilitating dynamic monitoring. Measurement is typically performed using immunoassays, with quantitative results expressed in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Elevated levels may also be observed in certain non-infectious conditions such as major trauma, surgery, or certain cancers, although these are usually distinguishable from infectious causes based on clinical context.

Overall, procalcitonin is a clinically significant biomarker, contributing to improved infection management and antimicrobial stewardship. However, interpretation of results should always consider the broader clinical picture and other diagnostic findings.