CRP and Increased total leukocyte count: Initial laboratory investigations (Table 1) demonstrated leukocytosis (WBC 19.66 × 109/L), markedly elevated C-reactive protein (CRP, 266.04 mg/L) and procalcitonin (PCT, 12.87 ng/mL), hypoxemia (pO2, 68 mmHg), and elevated lactate levels (4.2 mmol/ L).