Werner C Albrich1, David Rimland. 1. Division of Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. walbric@emory.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Apart from leukocytosis, few laboratory markers suggestive of Clostridium difficile infections have been described. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the association between thrombocytosis, leukocytosis and C. difficile infections at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center. RESULTS: Of 162 patients with C. difficile infection, 36 (22%) had thrombocytosis, and 97 (60%) had leukocytosis. C difficile toxin A ELISA was performed in 46/695 (6.6%) patients with thrombocytosis and was positive in 18 (39.1%). Leukocytosis was present in 16/18 (89%) of patients with positive C. difficile toxin A ELISA and thrombocytosis, but also in 21/28 (75%) of patients with negative C. difficile toxin A ELISA and thrombocytosis. Among patients with marked leukocytosis, C. difficile toxin A was more frequently detected in those with concomitant thrombocytosis (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of thrombocytosis may be helpful to improve the pretest probability for C difficile infections.
BACKGROUND: Apart from leukocytosis, few laboratory markers suggestive of Clostridium difficile infections have been described. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the association between thrombocytosis, leukocytosis and C. difficile infections at the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center. RESULTS: Of 162 patients with C. difficileinfection, 36 (22%) had thrombocytosis, and 97 (60%) had leukocytosis. C difficile toxin A ELISA was performed in 46/695 (6.6%) patients with thrombocytosis and was positive in 18 (39.1%). Leukocytosis was present in 16/18 (89%) of patients with positive C. difficile toxin A ELISA and thrombocytosis, but also in 21/28 (75%) of patients with negative C. difficile toxin A ELISA and thrombocytosis. Among patients with marked leukocytosis, C. difficile toxin A was more frequently detected in those with concomitant thrombocytosis (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of thrombocytosis may be helpful to improve the pretest probability for C difficile infections.
Authors: Eric M Fountain; Maggie C Moses; Lawrence P Park; Christopher W Woods; Gowthami M Arepally Journal: J Thromb Thrombolysis Date: 2017-01 Impact factor: 2.300