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VIDAS® B▪R▪A▪H▪M▪S PCT™
Prepare your lab for respiratory season.

Learn how procalcitonin (PCT) testing can help you prepare for the surge in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), which can lead to sepsis and septic shock.

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RESPIRATORY SEASON

What goes around, comes around.

CDC: Every winter, the U.S. hospital system prepares for an increase in illnesses, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations caused by flu, COVID-19, RSV, and other seasonal respiratory viruses.1

  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

    Signs of increased RSV activity have been detected in the southern, southeastern, and mid-Atlantic United States, particularly in young children.2

  • Pneumonia

    Respiratory infections caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae remain elevated among young children in the US.2

  • Sepsis

    Did you know that ~67% of sepsis cases originate from infections in the respiratory tract?3,5,6 Pneumonia has been found to be the most common cause of sepsis and septic shock.3,4

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DID YOU KNOW?

Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic administration has proven its efficacy in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use in lower respiratory tract infections.7

ABOUT VIDAS B▪R▪A▪H▪M▪S PCT

What is it?

PCT is a multifaceted test with applications in lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), antibiotic decision-making, and sepsis.

Key Respiratory Use

Aids in decision-making on antibiotic therapy for patients with suspected or confirmed LRTI in the emergency department (ED) or inpatient setting.8

How does it work?

Procalcitonin, a peptide precursor to the hormone calcitonin, exhibits minimal levels under normal homeostatic conditions. Bacterial infections trigger an increase in PCT, whereas viral infections inhibit its production. Successful treatment typically leads to a reduction in systemic inflammation, resulting in a decline in procalcitonin levels.8

VIDAS BRAHMS PCT
BROCHURE

Dig into the details of procalcitonin.

Fast and accessible PCT testing can help you manage antibiotic therapy in LRTIs.

BENEFITS OF VIDAS B▪R▪A▪H▪M▪S PCT TESTING

Experience the ease of use, reliability, and cost efficiencies.

Now is the time to discover the benefits of automated PCT testing on our easy-to-use benchtop instrument, including:

  • On-demand testing tailored for primary care and emergency settings
  • Support for more informed antibiotic decision-making8
  • Seamless integration into clinical workflows
  • Results delivered in about 20 minutes
  • Cost-effective solution: one patient, one test
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What respiratory testing challenge can we help you solve?

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References

  1. Centers for Disease Control. (2024, October 25). 2024-2025 respiratory disease season outlook – October update. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html
  2. Centers for Disease Control. (n.d.). Respiratory illnesses data channel. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html
  3. Vincent JL, Sakr Y, Sprung CL, et al. Sepsis in European intensive care units: results of the SOAP study. Crit Care Med 2006; 34: 344–353. doi: 10.1097/01.CCM.0000194725.48928.3A
  4. Walden AP, Clarke GM, McKechnie S, et al. Patients with community acquired pneumonia admitted to European intensive care units: an epidemiological survey of the GenOSept cohort. Crit Care 2014; 18: R58. doi: 10.1186/cc13812
  5. Phua J, Ngerng W, See K, et al. Characteristics and outcomes of culture-negative versus culture-positive severe sepsis. Crit Care 2013; 17: R202. doi: 10.1186/cc12896
  6. Vincent JL, Rello J, Marshall J, et al. International study of the prevalence and outcomes of infection in intensive care units. JAMA 2009; 302: 2323–2329. doi: 10.1001/jama.2009.1754
  7. Saura O, Luyt CE. Procalcitonin as a biomarker to guide treatments for patients with lower respiratory tract infections. Expert Rev Respir Med. 2023;17(8):651-661. doi:10.1080/17476348.2023.2251394
  8. VIDAS BRAHMS PCT Package Insert, No. rev. 044579-04-en-2022-11

*Product availability varies by country. Consult your bioMérieux representative.