Procalcitonin-Guided Antibiotic Use in the Critically Ill — No Benefit

In a prospective, randomized study, procalcitonin measurement did not reduce antibiotic use or shorten treatment courses.

Recently, procalcitonin (PCT) has emerged as a trusted marker of infection. Several trials have shown that using an antibiotic-treatment algorithm based on PCT levels can reduce antibiotic use without compromising patient outcomes. Researchers in Belgium recently conducted a prospective trial to test these findings in critically ill patients.

The trial involved 509 adults hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) at the University of Liège for >2 days between April and December 2008. Participants were randomized to a PCT-guided approach to antibiotic therapy (PCT group) or to a standard approach (control group) in which the physicians were blinded to PCT results. PCT levels were determined as soon as infection was suspected.

Disease severi…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection