Procalcitonin

Immunocompromised hosts and other special populations were excluded from procalcitonin studies and, therefore, PCT monitoring cannot be extrapolated to patients with the following conditions:

• Pregnancy

• Neutropenia

• Transplant patients with moderate to intense immune suppression

• Chronic infections

• Infections for which prolonged antibiotic therapy is the standard of care (osteomyelitis, infective endocarditis)

PCT monitoring is NOT currently appropriate for use in the following conditions:

• Pulmonary aspiration syndromes

• Myocardial infarction patients with pulmonary infiltrates and/or decompensated heart failure

Procalcitonin monitoring should not replace standard diagnostic evaluation of the patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and potential need for antibiotics.

However, a value of < 0.25 μg/L and a rapidly improving clinical status supports a non-bacterial infection etiology and antibiotic cessation or modification is encouraged.