VCS parameters as diagnostic aid to Bacterial sepsis: A tertiary care experience

INTRODUCTION AND METHODS : Early diagnosis of sepsis is extremely important to reduce high mortality and morbidity. In the present study, clinical usefulness of the VCS parameters (mean channels of cell volume, conductivity, and light scatter) in neutrophils was analysed for predicting acute bacterial infection, which are obtained by the Coulter LH 750 hematology analyzer (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, CA) during automated differential counts. RESULTS: Peripheral blood samples from 162 patients with positive blood cultures for bacteria and 40 healthy controls were studied. We observed a significant increase in the mean channel of neutrophil volume (MNV) from septic patients compared with control subjects (156 ± 13.5 vs 143 ± 4.8; P < .001). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: An elevation of the MNV was associated with a higher WBC count and percentage of neutrophils and was present even in patients who did not have leucocytosis or neutrophilia. With a cutoff of 150 for the MNV, a specificity of 91% and sensitivity of 70% were achieved. As a quantitative, objective, and more sensitive parameter, we propose that the MNV has a potential to be an additional indicator for acute bacterial infection.