Diagnostics

Blood test could avoid inappropriate use of antibiotics for respiratory infections

Published in TB and Outbreaks Week, March 9th, 2004

A rapid blood test to help distinguish between bacterial and other (predominantly viral) infections could substantially reduce the inappropriate use of antibiotics for common infections, conclude authors of a new study.

Lower respiratory tract infections are often treated with antibiotics - even though there is often no evidence of bacterial infection. Such inappropriate use of antibiotics is contributing to the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria with serious implications for public health. Blood concentrations of a calcitonin precursor protein known as procalcitonin are substantially raised during acute bacterial infection.

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Source: TB and Outbreaks Week (2004-03-09)

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