key: cord-0742908-itsy1i6d
authors: Williams, Emma J.; Mair, Luke; de Silva, Thushan I.; Green, Dan J.; House, Philip; Cawthron, Kay; Gillies, Christopher; Wigfull, James; Parsons, Helena; Partridge, David G.
title: Evaluation of procalcitonin as a contribution to antimicrobial stewardship in SARS-CoV-2 infection: a retrospective cohort study
date: 2021-01-20
journal: J Hosp Infect
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.006
sha: 6e7927564067ef1fc2e5705664c3d4a53649b0f6
doc_id: 742908
cord_uid: itsy1i6d

It can be a diagnostic challenge to identify COVID-19 patients in whom antibiotics can be safely withheld. We evaluate the effectiveness of a guideline implemented at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that recommends withholding antibiotics in patients with a low serum procalcitonin (PCT), defined as ≤0.25ng/ml. Results showed reduced antibiotic consumption in this patient group, without increase in mortality, alongside a reduction in subsequent carbapenem prescriptions during admission for those with a negative PCT. Our results suggest effectiveness of this guideline, and further research is recommended to identify the optimal cut-off value for procalcitonin in this setting.

defined as ≤0.25ng/ml. Results showed reduced antibiotic 48 consumption in this patient group, without increase in mortality, 49 alongside a reduction in subsequent carbapenem prescriptions 50 during admission for those with a negative PCT. Our results 51 suggest effectiveness of this guideline, and further research is 52 recommended to identify the optimal cut-off value for 53 procalcitonin in this setting. 54

In patients with COVID-19, the presentation of fever, 57 tachypnoea and hypoxia, together with lung infiltrates on chest 58

imaging and a frequent rise in biomarkers such as C-reactive 59 protein (CRP) [1] , presents a challenge to rational use of 60 antimicrobials as it is difficult to confidently exclude bacterial 61 co-infection. Rates J o u r n a l P r e -p r o o f

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Improved sensitivity using a dual target

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Experience at a large NHS Foundation Trust in the UK

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