Sepsis, Procalcitonin Levels, and Duration of Antibiotics

In patients with sepsis, use of an algorithm based on plasma procalcitonin levels allowed substantial reductions in antibiotic-therapy duration without deleterious effects on outcome.

Antibiotic therapy in patients with sepsis is currently based on empirical rules. Plasma procalcitonin (PCT) is a specific marker for severe bacterial infection and is sometimes used to guide initiation — or duration — of antibiotic therapy in patients with respiratory infections. Might PCT levels be used to guide antibiotic-therapy duration in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock? To find out, researchers conducted a randomized, controlled, open interventional trial at an ICU in Switzerland.

Among 282 patients who were assessed, 79 were randomized: 40 to the control group (treatment according to standard practice) and 39 to the PCT group, in which a recommendation was given to continue or stop antibiotic therapy based on PCT level af…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)