Procalcitonin for Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, and Prognosis of Respiratory Tract Infections

Joseph R. Yancey; Madalyn D. Nelson; Nicholas J. Whalen

JOSEPH R. YANCEY, MD, MADALYN D. NELSON, MD, AND NICHOLAS J. WHALEN, DO, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, Fort Hood, Texas

Am Fam Physician. 2022;106(3):333-334

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

Procalcitonin measurement is a blood test used to aid in the diagnosis of bacterial lower respiratory tract infections and guide initiation of antibiotic therapy.¹ Procalcitonin testing may also be used to reduce adverse effects in adults with respiratory tract infections or sepsis and guide discontinuation of antibiotic therapy in patients with sepsis.^2–4

Test	Indication	Population	Cost*
Procalcitonin measurement	Aid in diagnosis of bacterial lower respiratory tract infection Reduce adverse effects in adults with respiratory tract infections or sepsis Guide duration of antibiotic therapy in patients with sepsis	Children and adults Hospitalized adults	$70

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