Which option to choose
The medical essence of both options is the same: quantitative assessment of procalcitonin with the same decision thresholds. The basic position (side by side) is cheaper and suitable for most situations; extended is used when the attending physician or hospital protocol specifies a specific performer and the format of the form. If in doubt, check with your doctor - there is no need to overpay for no reason.
When is it appointed?
- suspected sepsis and severe bacterial infection;
- decision to prescribe and discontinue antibiotics;
- fever of unknown origin;
- control of severe postoperative patients;
- differentiation of the bacterial and viral nature of inflammation.
Procalcitonin in the clinic
PCT is the most specific available marker of a bacterial systemic infection: in viral and local inflammation it remains low, in sepsis it increases tenfold. Values <0.25 ng/ml allow avoidance of antibiotics, >2 ng/ml indicate systemic bacterial infection; the dynamics determine the duration of the course. In the clinic’s price list there are two items of different prices - basic and extended (the performing laboratory and the report format are different, the clinical essence is the same); The appropriate option will be indicated by the attending physician.
