Authors' recommendations: • Single PCT levels are only moderately sensitive and accurate in the diagnosis of infection, using infection confirmed by culture as a comparator. Such a test would not have the sensitivity required to inform a decision to withhold antibiotic therapy in a critically ill patient. • Measurement of single or serial PCT levels as a part of a treatment algorithm do not appear to be useful in determining when to start or escalate antibiotics, although only a limited number of studies have tested it. • Measurement of serial PCT levels as part of a treatment algorithm may have some usefulness in determining when to discontinue antibiotics. Studies have not compared PCT algorithms to best practice intended to reduce antibiotic use, and studies to date have not been large enough to detect small differences in clinical outcomes, especially mortality. Three large studies are ongoing.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: http://www.mcgill.ca/tau/files/tau/muhc_tau_2012_62_procalcitonin.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Technology Assessment Unit of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)

Contact Address: Technology Assessment Unit of the MUHC, Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, 5252 boul. de Maisonneuve, Bureau 3F.50, Montreal, Quebec H4A 3S5

Contact Name: nandini.dendukuri@mcgill.ca

Contact Email: nandini.dendukuri@mcgill.ca

Copyright: Technology Assessment Unit of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)