Laboratory diagnosis of neonatal sepsis: comparative study

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on ninety neonates, seventy cases with Established sepsis based on clinical and laboratory criteria and twenty cases were normal or non-septicemic as a control group. A complete blood picture was performed for each case to assess the hematological scoring system [HSS]. Bacterial cultures of blood were also performed as well as assessment of serum levels of C- reactive protein [CRP] by radial immunodiffusion and soluble interleukin-2 receptor [SIL2R] by INNO test which is enzyme immunoassay. Urine samples were taken and tested for group B Streptococcal [GBS] antigen using latex particle agglutination [LPA]. The results showed highly significant differences between both groups as regard the hemoglobin concentration, RBCs count, platelet counts, immature polymorphonuclear counts and its relation to the mature ones [I/M ratio] and the immature to the total polymorphonuclear cells [I/T ratio]. There was also a significant difference as regard the total leukocytic and polymorphonuclear counts. It was found that sensitivity and specificity of HSS were 97% and 100% and 84.29% and 100% for CRP and 100% and 95.77% for LPA and 64.29% and 95% for SIL2R, respectively