"Usefulness of Procalcitonin in the Suspension of Antibiotics"

Abstract

Background: Procalcitonin is a promising biomarker for the early detection of systemic bacterial infections; its use as a predictor for antibiotic suspension has been studied and has become relevant.Methodology: A systematic review was carried out through various databases from January 2011 to February 2022; The search and selection of articles was carried out in indexed journals in English. The following keywords were used: Procalcitonin; infections; Sepsis; Bacteria; Virus.Results: Currently there are different types of inflammatory markers, among which we can highlight procalcitonin, which has become a new biomarker for the early detection of bacterial infections, especially systemic infections. Procalcitonin levels have been shown to increase over 6 to 12 hours, and these values continue to steadily increase 2 to 4 hours after the onset of sepsis. After identifying the condition, it is advisable to measure procalcitonin every 6 to 24 hours, in order to identify the need to change the antibiotic. Conclusions:The present review offers updated and detailed information on the importance of procalcitonin as a discriminating agent for viral diseases of bacteria and thus whether or not to suspend the antibiotic.