title: Procalcitonin: potential role in diagnosis and management of sepsis.
abstract: Sepsis is an important cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and diagnosis are keys to achieving improved outcomes. Procalcitonin has been widely investigated as a potential biomarker for sepsis. Furthermore, management of sepsis and other infectious disease is becoming increasingly complicated by the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of pathogens. Good antibiotic governance is important in reducing the risk of the development of further antibiotic resistance. We reviewed the current literature on the use of procalcitonin in sepsis to determine whether it should be recommended for use in either of these roles. Procalcitonin should not be used as a stand-alone diagnostic test to rule-in or rule-out sepsis or bacterial infection, or for prognostication, in the absence of clinical judgment. Used as part of a clinical algorithm, however, it has been shown to reduce antibiotic prescribing in critical care environments and for respiratory tract infections.
authors: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nobles Hospital, Strang, Isle of Man. Electronic address: timrowland@doctors.org.uk.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Rowland
authors: North Yorkshire and East Coast Foundation School, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Hilliard
authors: Department of Infection, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, United Kingdom.
authors: Gavin
authors: G
authors: Barlow
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000097:blood*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; C000606589:CALCA protein, human; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide
keywords: Antibiotic stewardship; Biomarkers; Procalcitonin; Sepsis