Evaluation of procalcitonin as a contribution to antimicrobial stewardship in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective cohort study

E.J. Williams, L. Mair, T.I. de Silva, Dan Green, P. House, K. Cawthorn, C. Gillies, J. Wigfull, H. Parsons, D.G. Partridge

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-107
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Hospital Infection
Volume110
Early online date20 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021

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