Serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels are a sensitive marker for severe and systemic bacterial infections. In healthy individuals, PCT is primarily produced in thyroid C cells as a precursor to calcitonin, a calcium-regulating hormone. In thyroid tissue, PCT is cleaved into an N-terminal sequence, calcitonin and katacalcin. Thus, serum PCT concentrations are below 0.1 ng/mL in healthy individuals.
On the contrary, PCT levels can rise to 1000 ng/mL in patients with systemic bacterial infections, such as severe bacterial sepsis. Upon stimulation by interleukins and bacterial endotoxins, PCT is expressed in all tissues, leading to a significant increase of serum PCT concentrations.
In parallel to MedLab Middle East in Dubai in February 2020, DiaSys launched the new reagent Procalcitonin FS. The new DiaSys reagent Procalcitonin FS is a fluid-stable, particle enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay, providing a convenient workflow on clinical chemistry analyzers.
Within the measuring range from 0.2 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL, the determination of PCT in serum and plasma samples can be performed with high precision at the clinical cut-off levels for sepsis. The assay performance is complemented by high tolerance to endogenous interferents and common therapeutics used in sepsis management. Furthermore, Procalcitonin FS has overall performance, comparable to established methods plus an outstanding onboard and calibration stability.
Currently, DiaSys offers Procalcitonin in the System Kit that fits a wide range of analyzers. Besides, DiaSys supplies dedicated calibrators and controls to utilize the full potential of their assays. Assigned Kitlines for use on respons® and BioMajesty® will follow to complete the DiaSys Systems as well.
Andreas Bäcker