Himachal Infinity Med Labs Nahan

Introduction P rocalcitonin (PCT) is a small protein made by certain cells in the body, mainly in the thyroid gland , lungs, and intestines. Normally, healthy people have almost undetectable amounts of PCT in their blood. PCT has emerged as one of the most reliable biomarkers for the early detection of systemic bacterial infections and sepsis. Initially identified by Le Moullec in 1984 as a 116–amino acid residue, its clinical importance was not recognized until 1993, when Assicot and colleagues demonstrated a strong correlation between elevated serum PCT levels and bacterial infections , particularly sepsis confirmed by blood cultures. Unlike other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) , which lack the specificity to differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial infections, PCT has proven to be more precise. It remains low in viral infections and decreases once effective antibiotic treatment begins, making it a useful tool in guiding antimicrobial therapy. T...

  The human body has an inbuilt defense mechanism that fights against infections, injuries, and other harmful stimuli. This process is known as inflammation , and while it is necessary for healing, persistent or excessive inflammation can signal an underlying health issue. To detect such conditions, doctors often rely on laboratory investigations, one of the most important being the C-reactive protein (CRP) test . CRP is a protein manufactured by the liver and released into the bloodstream when the body experiences inflammation. Its concentration in the blood can rise sharply within a few hours of infection, trauma, or tissue injury. Because it reflects the presence and severity of inflammation, measuring CRP levels is crucial for diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognosis in several medical conditions. This blog explores the meaning of CRP, its role in health and disease, testing procedure, interpretation of results, and why it remains a cornerstone in clinical diagnostic...