We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

BECKMAN COULTER, INC.

Beckman Coulter develops, manufactures and markets laboratory systems, reagents, centrifugation, lab automation, elec... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Lab Tests Discriminate Bacterial from Nonbacterial COPD Exacerbations

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Dec 2016
The discrimination of bacterial from nonbacterial acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is difficult, causing antibiotics overuse and bacterial resistance. More...
Sputum cultures are of limited use because results take time.

Acute exacerbation of COPD also known as acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) is a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms such as shortness of breath, quantity and color of phlegm that typically lasts for several days. It may be triggered by an infection with bacteria or viruses or by environmental pollutants.

Scientists at the Franciscus Gasthuis (Rotterdam, The Netherlands) and their colleagues usually evaluate AECOPD using the laboratory parameters of leucocytes concentration and C-reactive protein. They have now evaluated additional tests to discriminate bacterial versus nonbacterial AECOPD: 5-part leukocyte differentiation (hematology analyzer), leukocyte differentiation using flow cytometry (Leukoflow, Cytodiff: Beckman Coulter, Brea, CA, USA), Leuko64 kit, and procalcitonin. Retrospectively, patients were classified as bacterial or nonbacterial AECOPD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses tested how the additional tests discriminate these groups.

The team classified 22 AECOPD as bacterial and 23 as nonbacterial. From the additional tests, basophil percentage (Cytodiff) has superior AUC (0.800). At a cutoff resulting in equal to or more than 90% sensitivity, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (AUC: 0.755) and CD4-positive T cells (Leukoflow, AUC: 0.747) have the highest specificity (57%). Both neutrophil mean volume and standard deviation measured by the Cell Population Data from a Beckman Coulter DxH800 hematology analyzer had good combined sensitivity and specificity (91% sensitivity, 69% specificity). Addition of leukocyte populations and procalcitonin to CRP in regression models (AUC: 0.907/0.876/0.890) increased specificity compared to CRP alone (71% or 73% versus 39%).

The authors concluded that no additional test has sufficient accuracy on its own to predict bacterial AECOPD. Combining CRP with several parameters from the additional tests may improve this. The study was published in the December 2016 issue of the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.

Related Links:
Franciscus Gasthuis
Beckman Coulter

New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Gold Member
Quality Control Material
iPLEX Pro Exome QC Panel
New
Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B Combo Card Test
CerTest Clostridium Difficile Toxin A+B
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric leukemia ensures better outcomes for children with this common cancer (Photo courtesy of Qlucore)

RNA-Seq Based Diagnostic Test Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Pediatric Leukemia

A new unique test is set to reshape the way Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples can be analyzed. Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) has launched the first CE-marked RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.