2018 Volume 67 Issue 4 Pages 437-442
We evaluated procalcitonin (PCT) measurement and the storage container used for the measurement. There is no effect of adding serum (200 μL or 1,000 μL) to a blood collection tube (p = 0.92). The PCT levels after transferring serum to A company sample cup and B company sample tube decreased by 5.6 ± 2.9% and 3.8 ± 2.0%, respectively. After transferring for the second time, the PCT levels decreased by 7.4 ± 3.5% and 11.0 ± 4.6%, respectively. There is no effect of contact time between 0 and 2 h with the sample tube (4.8 ± 2.7% vs 4.3 ± 4.6%, p = 0.61). The PCT levels in the area of contact with the sample tube (7.3 cm2 and 21.1 cm2) decreased by 5.0 ± 3.7% and 9.5 ± 5.2%, respectively. The PCT levels after transferring serum to C company storage tube, D company storage tube, and E company storage tube decreased by 6.9 ± 1.9%, 6.7 ± 2.8%, and 4.2 ± 2.9%, respectively. After transferring serum for the second time, these values decreased by 13.8 ± 3.3%, 14.0 ± 4.1%, and 12.9 ± 3.2%, respectively. After the third time, they decreased by 21.6 ± 2.3%, 21.7 ± 4.8%, and 20.1 ± 3.0%, respectively. We have to pay attention to the false low level, when transferring serum from various cups and tubes more than once.
