Blood Res.  2013 Sep;48(3):193-197. 10.5045/br.2013.48.3.193.

Mean cell volumes of neutrophils and monocytes are promising markers of sepsis in elderly patients

• Lee AJ
• Kim SG

• KMID: 2270705
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5045/br.2013.48.3.193

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Sepsis in elderly patients is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the clinical setting. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic significance of volume conductivity scatter (VCS) parameters and to compare their reliability with that of inflammatory markers.
METHODS
Patients (N=85) were divided into 3 groups according to their clinical history and culture results: control (N=29), localized infection (N=38), and sepsis (N=18). VCS parameters were obtained using a UniCel DxH 800 Coulter system. Cut-off values were established based on receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves.
RESULTS
The mean volumes of neutrophils (MNV) and monocytes (MMV) were higher in the sepsis group than in the localized infection and control groups (P=0.000 for both). The mean cell conductivity and low median angle light scatter of neutrophils were lower in the sepsis group than in the localized infection and control groups (P=0.029 and P=0.022, respectively). With a cut-off of 156.5, MNV had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 78% in predicting sepsis.
CONCLUSION
MNV and MMV, which can be obtained easily using an automated blood analyzer, may be promising hematologic parameters for distinguishing elderly individuals with and without sepsis and may help clinicians in the diagnosis of sepsis.

Keyword

Volume of neutrophils; Volume of monocytes; VCS technology; Procalcitonin; Sepsis

MeSH Terms

Aged
Calcitonin
Erythrocyte Indices
Humans
Light
Monocytes
Neutrophils
Protein Precursors
Sensitivity and Specificity
Sepsis
Calcitonin
Protein Precursors

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curves (with area under the ROC curve) of inflammatory markers (mean neutrophil volume [MNV], mean monocyte volume [MMV], and C-reactive protein [CRP]) and procalcitonin.

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