What Is A Procalcitonin Blood Test?
Procalcitonin is a biomarker that increases in body in response to severe bacterial infections and sepsis. Procalcitonin is a peptide precursor to the hormone calcitonin. The test is crucial in distinguishing bacterial infections from viral infections and helps your doctor to determine appropriate antibiotic therapy.
A procalcitonin test is commonly ordered when patients exhibit signs of systemic infection, sepsis or respiratory tract infections like pneumonia. Early detection of such infections allows timely medical intervention, reducing the risk of complications and improving recovery. Physicians often use this test for monitoring treatment effectiveness and severity of infections. It is often used in hospitals in intensive care settings when rapid diagnosis and treatment is necessary. Sometimes doctors may also order this test in suspected kidney infections, meningitis and post-surgical complications when bacterial infections can pose a threat to the patient.
How is the Test Performed?
Sample Collection
A procalcitonin test requires a small blood sample, usually taken from a vein in the arm.
Lab Analysis
The blood is examined using immunoassay techniques to measure the level of procalcitonin.
Result
Results are usually available within 24 hours.
What are the symptoms that prompt this test?
The procalcitonin test may be ordered if a patient exhibits symptoms of severe bacterial infections or sepsis. Common symptoms include:
- High fever or chills
- Rapid heart rate or breathing
- Confusion or disorientation
- Low blood pressure
- Signs of localized infection (e.g. pneumonia, urinary tract infection)
- Symptoms of sepsis (e.g. fever, low blood pressure, organ dysfunction)
- Persistent or worsening infection despite treatment
- Post-surgical infections or complications
- Rapid breathing or heart rate in children
- Poor feeding or irritability in children
What are Normal Ranges for This Test?
The normal procalcitonin levels are generally the same for men and women:
Normal Range –Less than 0.05 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter)
Mild Infection –05–0.5 ng/mL
Moderate Infection –5–2 ng/mL
Severe Infection/Sepsis –Greater than 2 ng/mL
** Normal levels are dependent on a number of factors including age, gender, testing method and health condition of patient etc. Result interpretation should be done by a qualified doctor or healthcare professional.**
What Happens if Test Results Show Abnormal Levels?
Abnormal procalcitonin levels can indicate the presence and severity of bacterial infections:
High Procalcitonin –Suggests a bacterial infection, sepsis or severe systemic inflammation.
Low Procalcitonin –Indicates a low likelihood of bacterial infection but possibly pointing to a viral or non-infectious cause if the symptoms are severe.
If procalcitonin levels are elevated, your doctor may recommend additional tests to confirm bacterial infection and determine its severity. Possible next steps include:
- Blood cultures to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection.
- Imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans for deeper infections.
- Additional lab tests including a complete blood count (CBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) test to assess inflammation.
- Immediate treatment with antibiotics if a bacterial infection is confirmed.
