What is Procalcitonin (PCT)?

PCT is a marker of inflammatory response and is stimulated by bacterial products (endotoxins/LPS) and cytokines (IL-1,IL-2, IL-6, TNFα).1–5 The exact biological role of PCT remains largely unknown, however, recent data suggests that PCT may play a pathologic role in sepsis.2

PCT is 116 amino acid prohormone of the hormone calcitonin. Calcitonin is exclusively produced by C-cells of the thyroid gland in response to hormonal stimuli, whereas PCT can be produced by several other cell types from a wide range of organs in response to inflammation or infection.1,2,6

PCT and Sepsis
Plasma PCT has a half life of 25–30 hours.1 Levels typically increase within 3–6 hours of the stimulus,2,4 and higher levels are associated with poorer prognosis.7 Elevated values are highly suggestive of an infection, typically bacterial, with a systemic response (sepsis, or severe sepsis or septic shock). In healthy people, PCT concentrations are typically below 0.05 ng/mL, but concentrations can increase up to 1000 ng/mL in patients with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock.1,3 Average levels of PCT increase from SIRS to septic shock, with the highest levels associated with severe sepsis and septic shock. 7

PCT has been shown to be a useful tool that can aid in the diagnosis of sepsis.2,4,7 PCT levels can be helpful in facilitating early diagnosis thus allowing for early therapeutic interventions that have been shown to improve patient outcomes.8

Procalcitonin (PCT) and Sepsis FAQ

References
1. Maruna P, et al. Physiol Res 2000; 49 Suppl 1:S57-S61.
2. Becker KL, et al. Crit Care Med. 2008 March; 36(3):941-52.
3. Steinbach G, et al. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2004 Dec 30; 116(24):849-53.
4. Schneider HG, et al. Pathology. 2007 Aug;39(4):383-90.
5. Christ-Crain M, et al. Eur Respir J. 2007 Sept;30(3):556-73.
6. Christ-Crain M, et al. Swiss Med Wkly. 2005 Aug 6;135(31-32):451-60.
7. Harbarth, et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001;164:396
8. Rivers R, et al. N Engl J Med. 2001 Nov 8;345(19):1368-77.
9. O'Grady NP, et al. Crit Care Med. 2008 April; 36(4):1330-49.
10. Brahms. Brahms Kryptor PCT sensitive package insert. Hennigdorf, Germany, Brahms.
11. Brahms. Guide for the clinical use of procalcitonin (PCT) in diagnosis and monitoring of sepsis. 2008. Hennigsdorf, Germany.