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Procalcitonin Identifies Bacterial Infections
- Procalcitonin rises in response to bacterial infections but remains low in viral infections due to interferon-mediated gene suppression.
- Measuring two levels spaced hours apart improves diagnostic accuracy, as early values may be misleading.
Rapid Procalcitonin Testing Essential
- Ensure rapid procalcitonin assay turnaround for effective clinical use.
- Results should be available quickly, ideally within an hour to inform treatment decisions.
Repeat Procalcitonin in Pneumonia Diagnosis
- For suspected community-acquired pneumonia, obtain initial procalcitonin to distinguish bacterial from viral causes.
- If initial procalcitonin is low, repeat in six hours to catch early bacterial infection that may not yet raise levels.