In the @/@ analyzed patients ( @ % ) with low initial procalcitonin ( < @ g/L ) , suggesting the absence of systemic bacterial infection , those randomized to procalcitonin guidance ( n = @ ) had a significantly lower adverse outcome rate compared to controls ( n = @ ) : @ % vs. @ % ( absolute difference -@ % , @ % confidence interval ( CI ) -@ % to -@ % , P = @ ) , and significantly reduced antibiotic exposure -LSB- days -RSB- ( mean @ @ vs. @ @ , difference -@ -LSB- @ % CI , -@ to -@ -RSB- , P < @ ) .