Data collection
PCT
The hospital medical records of all patients included in the study were screened, reviewed, and analyzed by trained reviewers using a hospital information system. Clinical data were collected, including demographics, comorbidities, concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and glucocorticoid, clinical information regarding VCZ dosing, duration of VCZ therapy, patients’ symptoms, body temperature, and chest X-Rays. Laboratory data included white blood cell counts, CRP, PCT, IL-6, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), TBIL, albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), and Creatinine clearance.