Procalcitonin (PCT), a polypeptide with a molecular mass of about 13 kDa, is the precursor of calcitonin. PCT is constitutively produced in the C cells of the thyroid gland and does not exhibit hormone activity [1].
PCT is markedly elevated within 2 to 4 hours in severe forms of systemic inflammation or in bacterial infections, and the level persists until recovery. The biological half-life of PCT is 22 to 26 hours, an advantageous time point compared with CRP and other acute-phase reactants [2]. Because upregulation of PCT is attenuated by INF- γ, a cytokine released in response to viral infections, PCT is more specific for bacterial infections and may help to distinguish bacterial infections from viral illnesses [3].
It should be noted that PCT is also elevated in noninfectious conditions such as trauma, surgery, cardiogenic shock, burns, heat stroke, acute respirátory distress syndrome, infected necrosis after acute pancreatitis, and rejection after transplantation [4].
Severe bacterial infections can result in marked morbidity and death in veterinary patients, with 50–70% of dogs with sepsis succumbing to their disease. Early diagnosis of infection is essential for the appropriate management of sepsis, as it allows rapid administration of antibiotics resulting in improved outcomes [5]. Although PCT mRNA expression from nonthyroidal tissue has been demonstrated in dogs with inflammation, sepsis and SIRS [6, 7], very little is known about serum PCT concentration in dogs due to the lack of a validated canine assay [5].
Enzyme Immunoassay for the quantitative determination procalcitonin in canine serum, plasma and urine.
RESOURCES
- Dumea R, Siriopol D, Hogas S, Mititiuc I, Covic A. Procalcitonin: diagnostic value insystemic infections in chronic kidney disease or renal transplant patients. Int Urol Nephrol; 46(2):461-468 (2014)
- Lee H. Procalcitonin as a biomarker of infectious diseases. Korean J Intern Med;28(3):285-291 (2013)
- Schuetz P, Albrich W, Mueller B. Procalcitonin for diagnosis of infection and guide to antibiotic decisions: past, present and future. BMC Med; 9:107 (2011)
- Summah H, Qu JM. Biomarkers: a definite plus in pneumonia. Mediators Inflamm; 2009:675753 (2009)
- Floras AN, Holowaychuk MK, Hodgins DC, Marr HS, Birkenheuer A, Sharif S, Bersenas AM, Bienzle D. Investigation of a commercial ELISA for the detection of canine procalcitonin. J Vet Intern Med; 28(2):599-602 (2014)
- Kuzi S, Aroch I, Peleg K, Karnieli O, Klement E, Dank G. Canine procalcitonin messenger RNA expression. J Vet Diagn Invest; 20(5):629-633 (2008)
- Giunti M, Peli A, Battilani M, Zacchini S, Militerno G, Otto CM. Evaluation of CALC-I gene (CALCA) expression in tissues of dogs with signs of the systemic inflammatoryresponse syndrome. J Vet Emerg Crit Care; 20(5):523-527 (2010)
