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Background: In this study, we compared the B·R·A·H·M·S Kryptor procalcitonin (PCT) assay with the newly developed ADVIA Centaur B·R·A·H·M·S PCT assay. Furthermore, the long-term stability of PCT at - 20 ºC was assessed.
Methods: Samples from 97 patients with lower respiratory tract infections were retested on both systems and compared with Passing-Bablok regression over two clinically relevant cutoff ranges for PCT, 0 – 2.0 μg / L and > 2.0 μg / L.
Results: After storage for 2.5 to 4 years, PCT levels in patient sera declined only 3.7 %. Passing-Bablok regression analysis of the total sample range (n = 97) showed that both methods correlated well (r = 0.9944), although with a deviation from the line of identity (y = 0.880x – 0.025 μg / L). Comparison of both methods within the clinically important interval of 0 – 2.0 μg / L showed acceptable correlation (y = 0.943x + 0.010 μg / L).
Conclusions: The ADVIA Centaur B·R·A·H·M·S PCT assay showed good correlation with the established Kryptor method. Therefore, this new technique can be used in clinical routine with the same clinical interpretation.
DOI: Clin. Lab. 2011;57:415-420
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