Clinical utility

Used in conjunction with other laboratory findings and clinical assessments, VIDAS B•R•A•H•M•S PCT is cleared by the FDA for use as follows:

1. to aid in the risk assessment of critically ill patients on their first day of ICU admission for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock,
2. to aid in assessing the cumulative 28-day risk of all-cause mortality for patients diagnosed with severe sepsis or septic shock in the ICU or when obtained in the emergency department or other medical wards prior to ICU admission, using a change in PCT level over time,
3. to aid in decision making on antibiotic therapy for patients with suspected or confirmed lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) – defined as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), acute bronchitis, and acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) – in an inpatient setting or an emergency department,
4. to aid in decision making on antibiotic discontinuation for patients with suspected or confirmed sepsis.

PCT has been studied extensively and has been shown to be useful for differentiating patients with sepsis from those with a systemic inflammatory response not related to a bacterial infection. PCT levels are usually low in viral infections, chronic inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. Levels of PCT generally increase in sepsis with values greater than 0.5 ng/mL, and often reach values greater than 10 ng/mL in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.