Plasma procalcitonin concentration in healthy calves and those with septic systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

•Procalcitonin (PCT) has been investigated as biomarker of sepsis in humans and different animal species.•Procalcitonin was evaluated in healthy calves and those with septic systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).•Plasma PCT concentration was higher in the septic SIRS group than in the healthy group.•Plasma PCT levels were increased in septic SIRS calves, as reported in humans and other species.•PCT could be used as marker for septic SIRS in calves.