Evaluation of procalcitonin as a contribution to antimicrobial stewardship in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective cohort study. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, E.J.; Mair, L.; de Silva, T.I.; Green, D.J.; House, P.; Cawthron, K.; Gillies, C.; Wigfull, J.; Parsons, H.; Partridge, D.G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 110(2021)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 107
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Antimicrobial stewardship -- COVID-19 -- Procalcitonin -- SARS-CoV-2 -- Bacterial co-infection -- Superadded infection; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: It can be a diagnostic challenge to identify patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in whom antibiotics can be safely withheld. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a guideline implemented at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that recommends withholding antibiotics in patients with low serum procalcitonin (PCT), defined as ≤0.25 ng/mL. Results showed reduced antibiotic consumption in patients with PCT ≤0.25 ng/mL with no increase in mortality, alongside a reduction in subsequent carbapenem prescriptions during admission. The results support the effectiveness of this guideline, and further research is recommended to identify the optimal cut-off value for PCT in this setting.