Background: To investigate the effect of hemolysis on serum procalcitonin (PCT) detected by electrochemiluminescence (ECL) and to explore the possibility of establishment of a correction equation. Methods: Fifty-one blood samples from 17 patients were collected. Hemolytic samples, of which the final concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb) were 5, 10, 15 and 20 g L-1, were prepared by adding lysed homologous RBCs to serum, and then the PCT levels were detected and compared. Results: with the increasing degree of sample hemolysis, PCT bias elevated from -13.12% to -38.86% as the hemolysis degree increased from 5 g L-1 to 20 g L-1, respectively. There was a linear correlation of PCT levels between the original and hemolytic samples with the same hemolytic degree (r > 0.97). Using the correction equation log(10)PCT(corr) = 0.962(log(10)PCT(hemo)) +0.251(log(10)Hb) - 0.126, the corrected PCT values from the hemolytic samples showed acceptable consistency with the original values (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Hemolysis has a negative interference on PCT values assayed by ECL. The serum PCT level is correlated negatively with the Hb level in the blood sample. The established correction equation could reduce inappropriate antibiotics application and improve the experience of patients in the emergency department.
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