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Test Code PCT or LAB2252 Procalcitonin, Serum or Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Container Type:

Optimal: Gold or Mint*

*For STAT requests

Acceptable: Red or Green
Optimal Collection Volume: 

4.5mL; full tube
Minimum Volume:

1 mL whole blood
Collection Instructions:

Gently invert the sample 5-6 times after collection.
Specimen Transport:

Refrigerate
Processing Instructions: 

1. If serum, allow the specimen to clot for 30 minutes.

2. Centrifuge specimen within 2 hours of collection.

3. After centrifugation, specimen tubes without a gel barrier should have the serum or plasma aliquoted to a false bottom container.

4. Keep serum or plasma refrigerated until testing can be performed.

Specimen Stability

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Serum* Refrigerated 48 hours
Room Temperature 24 hours
Frozen 3 months

*Note: Heparinized plasma in gel separator tubes is less stable than serum and is only suitable for add-on testing up to 2 days following sample collection.

Specimen Rejection Criteria

Hemolysis Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Lipemia Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Icterus Mild OK; Moderate OK; Gross Reject
Other Quantity not sufficient

Useful For

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker associated with the inflammatory response to bacterial infection that aids in the risk assessment of critically ill patients on their first day of ICU admission for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock.

Methodology

Roche Cobas - B.R.A.H.M.S Electrochemiluminescence assay

Reference Ranges

Interpretation of PCT values in critically ill ICU
patients:

 

Clinical Limitations:

Increased PCT levels may not always be related to systemic bacterial infection. Several situations have been described where PCT can be elevated by non-bacterial causes.

  • 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.
  • Patients diagnosed with active medullary C‑cell carcinoma, small-cell lung carcinoma, or bronchial carcinoid.
  • Patients with acute or chronic viral hepatitis and/or decompensated severe liver cirrhosis (Child‑Pugh Class C).
  • Patients with prolonged or severe cardiogenic shock, prolonged severe organ perfusion anomalies, or after resuscitation from cardiac arrest.
  • Patients receiving peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis treatment.
  • Patients with biliary pancreatitis, chemical pneumonitis or heat stroke.
  • Patients with invasive fungal infections (e.g., candidiasis, aspergillosis) or acute attacks of plasmodium falciparum malaria.
  • Neonates during the first 2 days of life.

Day(s) Performed

24/7

Expected TAT

Same day

Performing Laboratory

Bronson Laboratory, Chemistry - Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Paw Paw, South Haven

Sample Retention Time

7 days

CPT Code

84145

LOINC Code

33959-8