Procalcitonin
Latex enhanced immunoturbidimetry assay
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| N/A | N/A |
Product description:
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a peptide precursor of the hormone calcitonin, secreted in regulated
fashion to reduce serum calcium concentration in order to maintain calcium homeostasis. Under
normal physiological conditions, PCT is produced mainly by thyroidal c-cells and in small
amounts in neuroendocrine cells of lung and small intestine respectively. Here it is further
processed into its effective hormone calcitonin and stored in cellular vesicles until released
in conditions of high serum Ca level. Calcitonin decrease the calcium absorption by inhibiting
activity of osteoclasts, which are responsible for breaking down bone; thus proper serum levels
of calcium is maintatined in the circulation. Hence, PCT is nearly not detectable in serum of
normo-calcaemic patients.
The level of PCT increases in response to any shock like state, trauma, surgery and
pro-inflammatory stimuli especially of bacterial origin making it as an acute phase reactant.
Generally, viral infections are characterized by IFN-? activation, attenuate the PCT production.
On the other hand, the high PCT levels produced during bacterial infections are not followed by
a parallel increase in calcitonin or serum calcium levels. Because of these characteristics of
PCT, it has been used as a specific serum biomarker in differentiating bacterial and
nonbacterial etiology.
