Product Description

 Hotgen  Procalcitonin (PCT) Test Cassette

Hotgen  PCT  is an accurate, rapid, semi-quantitative immunochromatografic test for the  determination of procalcitonin in human serum, plasma and whole blood as an  aiding tool for diagnosing and controlling the treatment of severe, bacterial  infection and sepsis.

PCT:  A specific marker of severe bacterial infection and sepsis   

Procalcitonin  (PCT) is a peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin, the latter being  involved with calcium homeostasis. It is composed of 116 amino acids and is  produced by parafollicular cells (C cells) of the thyroid and by the  neuroendocrine cells of the lung and the intestine.

The  level of PCT in the blood stream of healthy individuals is below the limit of  detection (0.01 ng/mL) of clinical assays.  The level of procalcitonin rises  rapidly (within 6 – 12 hours) in a response to a proinflammatory stimulus,  especially of bacterial origin. It does not rise significantly with viral or  non-infectious inflammations. Therefore, PCT helps differentiate bacterial from  viral infections, the early detection of an elevated PCT level in patients with  suspected bacterial infections enabling earlier antibiotic treatment. PCT also  supports informed decisions on when to continue or stop antibiotics, improving  patient care and decreasing antibiotic misuse and  resistance.

 Benefits  of PCT test in summary:

Use  as an early and specific biomarker for severe bacterial infection and  sepsis

Assess  severity of infection and make prognosis

Differentiate  bacterial from viral and non-infectious inflammation

Guide  the application of antibiotics and reduce unnecessary usage of  antibiotics

Monitor  treatment efficacy of antibiotics

Hotgen Procalcitonin  Test Principle

Colloidal  gold immunochromatographic method

Hotgen Procalcitonin  Test Features

Semi-quantitative  PCT measurement

Rapid,  accurate, lab quality results within minutes

All-inclusive  kit including reference card for value estimation

Ready-to-use  reagents

Serum,  plasma and whole blood are applicable as sample

Long  shelf life

Easy  storage at room temperature

Single  dose format: run only the test you need