Procalcitonin in Pneumonia

3 patients with pneumonia on day 5 of antibiotics have a procalcitonin level drawn.

PCT = 0.6 mcg/mL
PCT = 0.1 mcg/mL
PCT = 3.6 mcg/mL (was initially 7.2 mcg/mL)

Who can most likely STOP antibiotics based on procalcitonin?

How did others respond?

Reveal the answer

Best Answer

Patient 2 👩🏻‍🦰

Explanation: Procalcitonin thresholds to 🛑 antibiotics vary from 0.25 - 0.5 mcg/mL. Since this patient’s procalcitonin is < 0.25 mcg/mL, antibiotics may be safely stopped 🎉

Procalcitonin trends can also be used to guide length of therapy. A procalcitonin ⬇️ of 65%-90% can also be used to 🛑 antibiotics.

Procalcitonin can be a helpful tool 🔧 for reducing antibiotic durations when incorporated into holistic clinical assessments!