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Test Code PCT Procalcitonin

Patient Preparation

No special preparations required

Container

Light Green / Mint Green
(PST Tube) (Plasma Separator Tube) (Lithium Heparin Tube)

Acceptable Specimens

Preferred:

  • Plasma: Li- Heparin

Serum, K2-EDTA plasma, K3-EDTA plasma

Specimen Stability

24 hours capped at 15-25°C
48 hours capped at 2-8°C
3 months at -20°C
Thaw samples only once

Performance Information

Days and Time Performed 24/7
Expected Turn Around Time

Stat: 1 hour

Routine: 4 hours
Stat Availability Yes
Performing Bench UH Chemistry, WH Chemistry

CPT Codes

84145

Collection Instructions

Draw sample using normal venipuncture technique

Minimum Volume:

  • Adult: 500 uL
  • Pediatric: 300 uL

Reference Ranges

Measuring range:

0.02-100 ng/mL

Values below the Limit of Detection are reported as < 0.02 ng/mL.
Values above the measuring range are reported as > 100 ng/mL.

Critical Ranges

Critical ranges not defined for this assay

Reasons for Rejection/ Interfering Substances

Icterus: No significant interference up to 25 mg/dL for conjugated bilirubin
Hemolysis: No significant interference up to 900 mg/dL
Lipemia: No significant interference up to 1500 mg/dL
Drugs: Samples should not be taken from patients receiving therapy with high biotin doses (i.e. > 5 mg/day) until at least 8 hours following the last biotin administration.

Reject if collected in inappropriate tube type.
Reject if specimen has been repeatedly frozen and thawed

Methodology

Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA)

Limitations

  1. For diagnostic purposes, the results should always be assessed in conjunction with the patient’s medical history, clinical examination and other findings. Increased PCT levels may not always be related to systemic infection.4,13,14,15 These include, but are not limited to: Patients experiencing major trauma and/or recent surgical procedure including extracorporeal circulation or burns. Patients undergoing treatment with OKT3 antibodies, OK-432, interleukins, TNF-alpha and other drugs that stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines or result in anaphylaxis.
  2. Patients diagnosed with active medullary C-cell carcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma, or bronchial carcinoid.
  3. Patients with acute or chronic viral hepatitis and/or decompensated severe liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh Class C). iv. Patients with prolonged or severe cardiogenic shock, prolonged severe organ perfusion anomalies, or after resuscitation from cardiac arrest.
  4. Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis treatment.
  5. Patients with biliary pancreatitis, chemical pneumonitis or heat stroke.
  6. Patients with invasive fungal infections (e.g., candidiasis, aspergillosis) or acute attacks of plasmodium falciparum malaria.
  7. Neonates during the first 2 days of life. The results of the Elecsys BRAHMS PCT assay should be evaluated in the context of all laboratory findings and the total clinical status of the patient. In cases where laboratory results do not agree with the clinical picture or history, additional tests should be performed