The potential clinical value of pairing procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography to guide antibiotic therapy in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a narrative review.

Publication

The potential clinical value of pairing procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography to guide antibiotic therapy in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a narrative review.

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 24, 2023

Bessat Cécile, Boillat-Blanco Noémie, Albrich Werner

Citation

Bessat C, Boillat-Blanco N, Albrich W. The potential clinical value of pairing procalcitonin and lung ultrasonography to guide antibiotic therapy in patients with community-acquired pneumonia: a narrative review. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:919-927.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17

Publication Date

Nov 24, 2023

Issn Electronic

1747-6356

Pages

919-927

Brief description/objective

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are among the most frequent infections and are prone to inappropriate antibiotic treatments. This results from a limited accuracy of diagnostic tools in identifying bacterial pneumonia. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has excellent sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing pneumonia. Additionally, elevated procalcitonin (PCT) levels correlate with an increased likelihood of bacterial infection. LUS and PCT appear to be complementary in identifying patients with bacterial pneumonia who are likely to benefit from antibiotics.