TruQuick™ Procalcitonin
TruQuick Procalcitonin is a rapid chromatographic immunoassay for the qualitative detection of Procalcitonin in whole blood, serum or plasma.
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a small protein that comprises 116 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of approximately 13 kDa which was first described by Moullec et al. in 1984.1 PCT is produced normally in C-cells of the thyroid glands. In 1993, the elevated level of PCT in patients with a system infection of bacterial origin was reported and PCT is now considered to be the main marker of disorders accompanied by systemic inflammation and sepsis. The diagnostic value of PCT is important due to the close correlation between PCT concentration and the severity of inflammation. It was shown that “inflammatory” PCT is not produced in C-cells. Cells of neuroendocrine origin are presumably the source of PCT during inflammation.
- Remove the Test Cassette from the foil pouch and use it as soon as possible. Best results will be obtained if the assay is performed within one hour.
- Place the Test Cassette on a clean and level surface.
- For Serum or Plasma specimens:
- Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 1 drop of serum or plasma (approximately 25 μL) to the specimen well (S) of the Test Cassette, and add 1 drop of Buffer (approximately 40 μL), then start the timer. See illustration below.
- For Venipuncture Whole Blood specimens:
- Hold the dropper vertically and transfer 2 drops of whole blood (approximately 50 μL) to the specimen well (S) of the Test Cassette, and add 1 drop of Buffer (approximately 40 μL), then start the timer. See illustration below.
- For Fingerstick Whole Blood specimens:
- To use a capillary tube: Fill the capillary tube and transfer approximately 50 μL of fingerstick whole blood specimen to the specimen well (S) of the Test Cassette, then add 1 drop of Buffer (approximately 40 μL) and start the timer. See illustration below.
- For Serum or Plasma specimens:
- The result should be read at 15 minutes. Do not interpret the result after 20 minutes.
- Le Moullec JM, et al. The complete sequence of human procalcitonin. FEBS Letters 1984;167(1), 93-97.
- Assicot M, et al. High serum procalcitonin concentrations in patients with sepsis and infection. Lancet 1993;341(8844), 515-518.
- Meisner M, Reinhart K. Is procalcitonin really a marker of sepsis? Int J Intensive Care 2001;8(1), 15-25.
- Sponholz C, et al. Diagnostic value and prognostic implications of serum procalcitonin after cardiac surgery: a systematic review of the literature. Critical Care 2006;10, R145.
- Meisner M. Pathobiochemistry and clinical use of procalcitonin. Clin Chim Acta 2002;323, 17-29.