Test May Reduce Use of Antibiotics

A blood test may help show who needs antibiotics for lung infections. In a study, the test reduced the use of antibiotics. The test looks for a chemical called procalcitonin in the blood. Infections caused by bacteria lead to higher levels of this chemical than virus infections do. The study included nearly 1,400 people. All came to hospital emergency rooms with lower respiratory infections. They were divided randomly into two groups. One group was given antibiotics, or not, based on standard guidelines. Decisions for the other group were based on their blood levels of procalcitonin. Overall, people in the blood-test group took antibiotics for fewer days than people in the other group. The study was in the Journal of the American Medical Association. HealthDay News wrote about it September 9.