Additional Information

<0.10 ng/mL - Antiboiotic therapy strongly discouraged. Indicates absence of bacterial infection. Antiobiotic therapy should be considered regardless of PCT result if the patient is clinically unstable, is at high risk for adverse outcome, has strong evidence of bacterial pathogen, or the clinical context indicates antibiotictherapy is warranted. If antibiotics are withheld, reassess if symptoms persist/worsen and/or repeat PCT measurement withing 6-24 hours.

0.10 - 0.25 ng/mL - Antibiotic therapy discourage. Bacterial infection unlikely. Antiobiotic therapy should be considered regardless of PCT result if the patient is clinically unstable, is at high risk for adverse outcome, has strong evidence of bacterial pathogen, or the clinical context indicates antibiotictherapy is warranted. If antibiotics are withheld, reassess if symptoms persist/worsen and/or repeat PCT measurement withing 6-24 hours.

0.26-0.50 ng/mL - Antibiotic therapy encouraged. Bacterial infection possible. In order to assess treatment success and to support a decision to discontinue antibiotic therapy, follow up samples should be tested once every 1-2 days, based upon physical discretion taking into account patient's evolution and progress. Antibiotic therapy may be discontinued if the PCT current is =0.25 ng/mL or if the PCT is >80%. PCT= ((PCT peak - PCT current)/PCT peak) x 100%. Antibiotic therapy may be continue based upon other clinical findings, such as apparent progression on chest x-ray or ongoing/increasing toxicity. If clinical picture has not improved and PCT remains high, re-evaluate and consider treatment failure or other causes.

>0.50 ng/mL - Antibiotic therapy strongly encouraged. Suggestive of presence of bacterial infection. In order to assess treatment success and to support a decision to discontinue antibiotic therapy, follow up samples should be tested once every 1-2 days, based upon physical discretion taking into account patient's evolution and progress. Antibiotic therapy may be discontinued if the PCT current is =0.25 ng/mL or if the PCT is >80%. PCT= ((PCT peak - PCT current)/PCT peak) x 100%. Antibiotic therapy may be continue based upon other clinical findings, such as apparent progression on chest x-ray or ongoing/increasing toxicity. If clinical picture has not improved and PCT remains high, re-evaluate and consider treatment failure or other causes.