The role of eosinopenia in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in children

Abstract

Purpose: Number of eosinophils circulating in the blood decreased significantly after acute infections. Our aim in this study is to determine the role of eosinopenia in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in children and to compare it with other acute phase reactants. Material and methods: Patients aged 0-14 years, who applied to İzmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital Pediatrics Polyclinics and Pediatric Emergency Service between 01.01.2008 and 31.12.2008, whose hemogram and C-reactive protein were studied within the first 24 hours of admission were included in this study. The cases were screened according to the International Classification of diseases (ICD-10) diagnostic codes. Results: Totally 1857 patients were included in the study. The patients were evaluated in 3 groups; 519 cases (28%) with bacterial infection,356 cases (19.2%) with viral infection, and 972 cases (52.6%) in the control groups. The mean absolute eosinophil count in the bacterial infection group was 103.7±76.9/mm³, while it was 192.8±129.3/mm³, in the viral infection group, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). It was determined that the bacterial infection group had the highest C-reactive protein value, the lowest absolute eosinophil count, and the lowest absolute eosinophil count /white blood cell ratio, and this was statistically significant (p<0.001). The parameter with the highest sensitivity was absolute eosinophil count/white blood cell with 73.7%, and highest specificity was absolute eosinophil count with 82.4%. Conclusion: Absolute eosinophil count and absolute eosinophil count / white blood cell ratio as specific and sensitive markers in the diagnosis of bacterial infection in children, can be promising diagnostic parameters by providing ease of use in daily practice.