Prokalcitonin v klinični praksi

Procalcitonin (PCT) is increasingly recognized as an important diagnostic tool in clinical practice. High plasma levels are observed in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock; moreover, there is a good correlation between PCT, inflammation activity and severity of sepsis. Local limited bacterial infections induce only a slight increase of PCT serum concentration. On the other hand, viral infections, neoplastic and autoimmune disorders usually do not have any influence on PCT serum level. Non-specific induction of PCT synthesis may occur after major surgery, multiple trauma or in newborn infants during the first days of life. Determination of PCT has diagnostic, prognostic and in some situations also therapeutic value.Ni abstrakta