Mean PCT levels were more elevated in patients with active infection, significantly higher on day 0 and onwards in the 26.5% of fatal cases, compared to that survivors (53.6 vs 27.3; P = 0.01). No clearly defined threshold level indicated an individual occurrence of fatality, however there was a clear different profile of evolution of PCT levels on the 3 days of observation: they significantly decreased by day 1 in surviving patients (P < 0.001), contrary to fatal cases, indicating that PCT level and kinetics could be of use to predict a reduced risk of fatality in patient with cerebral malaria. from Infectious diseases of the nervous system: pathogenesis and worldwide impact Paris, France. 10–13 September 2008