Preanalytics and PCT
Procalcitonin (PCT) is an important biomarker for the diagnosis of sepsis and for distinguishing between bacterial and non-bacterial inflammatory conditions. Due to the high number of sepsis cases, both in Austria and worldwide, accurate PCT measurement is essential. The PCT_DiaSys project compares the DiaSys® PETIA PCT assay from DiaSys with the ARCHITECT® B·R·A·H·M·S PCT assay from Abbott and investigates the stability of PCT measurements.
The reliability of PCT measurement varies among different testing methods and laboratories, highlighting the need for standardisation and harmonisation of assays. The aim of this research project is to compare the DiaSys PETIA PCT assay performed on the Atellica system with the Abbott ARCHITECT B·R·A·H·M·S PCT assay, which is based on CMIA (Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay) technology. In addition, the influence of sample storage on measurement results will be investigated for the first time.
For this study, 264 anonymised samples will be collected at the Institute of Medical-Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics of the Pyhrn-Eisenwurzen Hospital Steyr and analysed in duplicate. Blood samples will be stored at 2–8°C. Measurements will be performed either immediately, after one day, after two days, or after three days of storage. Statistical evaluation will include Passing-Bablok regression, Bland-Altman analysis, and Spearman correlation analysis.
The results are expected to contribute to the optimisation of laboratory analysis quality and will be presented as a poster presentation at the German Congress of Laboratory Medicine 2026.
