Objective: In this study, we compared the Abbott Architect B.R.A.H.M.S procalcitonin (PCT) assay with the newly developed Siemens Atellica B.R.A.H.M.S PCT assay.
Methods: Residual 45 lithium heparin plasma/serum specimens were randomly selected from routine hospital orders, and PCT was measured on both systems and compared with Passing-Bablok regression. Bias was evaluated using the Bland-Altman method. Concordance correlation was used for agreement evaluation at the clinically diagnostic cutoff of 0.10, 0.25, 0.50, and 2.00 ng/mL.
Results: Weighted Deming regression analysis showed approximately 13% positive bias (Atellica PCT=1.13*Architect PCT+0.02, r=0.961). The Passing-Bablok regression analysis of the total sample range revealed approximately 12% positive bias of the Atellica PCT compared to the Architect PCT (Atellica PCT=1.12*Architect PCT+0.02, r=0.961). The Bland-Altman plot showed the agreement between Atellica and Architect PCT was on average 0.04±0.25 ng/mL in the clinically relevant range of 0.1-2.0 ng/mL. The concordance of both methods at the clinically diagnostic cutoff (0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 2.0 ng/mL) showed excellent overall agreement at each threshold (90-100%).
Conclusions: The Siemens Atellica B.R.A.H.M.S PCT assay showed good correlation with the established Abbott Architect B.R.A.H.M.S PCT assay. Therefore, this technique can be used in clinical routine with the same clinical interpretation.
Keywords: Abbott Architect; B.R.A.H.M.S; Procalcitonin; Siemens Atellica; comparison.
© 2021 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.