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Utility of inflammatory markers in predicting the aetiology of pneumonia in children

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Mohamed Elemraid, Professor Stephen Rushton, Dr Matthew Thomas, Dr David Spencer, Professor Andrew GenneryORCiD

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Abstract

We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of applying cut-off levels of inflammatory markers and to develop a prediction model for differentiation between bacterial and viral infections in paediatric community-acquired pneumonia based on C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil, and white cell counts (WCC). Amongst 401 children, those with bacterial pneumonia were older than those with viral pneumonia (P < 0.001). Compared to viral, bacterial infections had a higher median CRP level (P < 0.001), Whereas WCC and neutrophil count were not different. Bacterial infections were associated with higher CRP >80 mg/L than viral infections (P = 0.001), but levels <20 mg/L were not discriminatory (P = 0.254). Receiver operating characteristic curve of the model for differentiating bacterial from viral pneumonia based on age, CRP, and neutrophil count produced area under the curve of 0.894 with 75.7% sensitivity and 89.4% specificity. This aetiological discriminant prediction model is a potentially useful tool in clinical management and epidemiological studies of paediatric pneumonia. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Elemraid MA, Rushton SP, Thomas MF, Spencer DA, Gennery AR, Clark JE

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease

Year: 2014

Volume: 79

Issue: 4

Pages: 458-462

Print publication date: 01/08/2014

Online publication date: 26/04/2014

Acceptance date: 20/04/2014

Date deposited: 29/08/2014

ISSN (print): 0732-8893

ISSN (electronic): 1879-0070

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2014.04.006

DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2014.04.006

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