procalcitonin

Authors: Raymond Beyda, MD; Jackie Shibata, MD; Lee Grodin, MD; and Theodore Segarra, MD Editors: Kelly Maurelus, MD FAAEM and Michael C. Bond, MD FAAEMOriginally Published: Common Sense January/February 2017 ED physicians frequently treat and admit patients for infectious diseases. Judicious use of antimicrobial therapy is important in order to avoiding the development of antimicrobial […]

Image Credit: Flickr Author: Jordan Kaylor, MD PGY4Northwestern/McGaw Medical Center Procalcitonin (PCT) is a serum biomarker that, when paired with clinical judgment, may help guide management of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in the emergency department (ED). Procalcitonin levels can help clinicians distinguish between bacterial and viral infections and might subsequently guide decisions to initiate […]