Elevated procalcitonin is associated with bacterial infection during acute liver failure only when unrelated to acetaminophen intoxication.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting bacterial infection and survival without transplantation upon admission in the ICU for acute liver failure (ALF).

Patients And Methods: From January 2009 until October 2015, all cases of ALF patients admitted in our ICU were retrospectively reviewed and included in the study if the PCT level upon admission was available. Patients with pre-existing liver pathology or ALF in a context of already advanced multiorgan failure were excluded.