Utility of leukocyte volume, conductivity and scatter parameters in the diagnosis and follow-up of infections

Abstract

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic significance of leukocyte VCS (Volume, Conductivity and Scatter) parameters in infections and to compare them with C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count. The study was conducted prospectively, among adult patients in Department of Internal Medicine. VCS parameters were analysed automatically during complete blood count test by the Beckman Coulter LH 780. The study included a total of 203 adult patients. Mean neutrophil volume (MNV), mean monocyte volume (MMV) were significantly higher in the limited and septic infections compared to the controls and they were well correlated with CRP. Mean neutrophil conductivity and mean neutrophil scatter values were similar between the controls and limited infections and were significantly lower in the sepsis. A cut-off value of 3.64 mg/dl for CRP exhibited a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 98.68% in detecting the infection. A cut-off value of > 147 for MNV exhibited a sensitivity of 74.8% and a specificity of 84.2% and a cut-off value of > 168.3 for MMV exhibited a sensitivity of 85.0% and a specificity of 80.2%. VCS parameters can be calculated without increasing the cost or requiring additional blood collection. Volume parameters are reliable parameters for the diagnosis and follow-up of infections. Conductivity and scatter parameters are suitable to evaluate the leukocyte properties seen with sepsis.