A short-term cross-sectional retrospective study on procalcitonin as a diagnostic aid for various infectious diseases

Background

Procalcitonin (PCT) was first described in the early 1960s as a precursor of calcitonin that is synthesized mainly in the thyroid and lung tissues. It is an immediate biosynthetic product in response to bacterial toxins and the pro-inflammatory cytokines, which in turn makes it a distinctive biomarker for bacterial infections. The present analysis deals with the study on the biochemical characteristics, production pathways, and clinical uses of PCT as a diagnostic tool.

Methods

During March and June 2024, a cross-sectional study was performed, among 357 patients with the proper characteristics who were admitted to the hospital and got their PCT levels, there were those who had respiratory, cardiac, gastrointestinal, and systemic infections. The exclusion criteria were the hospital stay of less than 24 h and a few noninfectious diseases.

Results

The higher PCT levels (> 0.5 ng/mL) reliably informed about the presence of bacterial infections like pneumonia, endocarditis, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. PCT levels demonstrated trivial increase in viral as well as fungal infections. The study ratified the significant relationship between PCT levels and the severity of bacterial infections, thus backing its usefulness in the diagnosis and treatment control.

Conclusion

Procalcitonin is increasingly emerging as a trustworthy biomarker for bacterial infections, thus helping in the early diagnosis, guiding targeted antibiotic therapy, and reducing inappropriate antibiotic use. Its high specificity for bacterial etiology has largely contributed to the success and potency of antibiotic stewardship programs.