Clinical Significance Of PCT

PCT is a specific indicator of severe bacterial inflammation and fungal infection, but also a reliable indicator of sepsis and multiorgan failure associated with inflammatory activity. Immunosuppressed patients will develop PCT if given adequate stimulation. PCT is not only an acute indicator for differential diagnosis, but also a parameter to monitor inflammatory activity. The detection of PCT should be a series, that is, daily detection and short interval detection in special cases, such as every 8 to 12 hours. Even a single test for acute differential diagnosis should continue with subsequent monitoring. Elevations of PCT in various diseases are shown in Table 19.5-1, and expected plasma levels are shown in Table 19.5-2.