What means high PCT?

High PCT, or procalcitonin, levels typically indicate a bacterial infection or sepsis, as procalcitonin is a biomarker that rises in response to inflammatory stimuli, particularly those caused by bacteria. Elevated PCT levels can help differentiate bacterial infections from viral infections or other inflammatory conditions. Clinically, it is often used to guide antibiotic therapy and assess the severity of infection. However, interpretation should always be in conjunction with clinical findings and other diagnostic tests.