Expression of CD64 as a potential marker of neonatal sepsis Article uri icon

abstract

  • The aim of this study was to identify a novel immunological indicator useful for the early diagnosis (through a rapid and single determination) of neonatal sepsis (NS). Peripheral blood samples were taken from 63 neonates, who were classified into four groups: proven NS (n=17); clinical NS (n=14); disease without infection (n=17); and healthy newborns (n=15). Neutrophil expression of CD64, CD43, CD44, CD50, CD62L and Mac-1, and plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-αs) and soluble L-selectin (sCD62L), were determined. Expression of CD64 was significantly enhanced in the group with proven sepsis and clinical NS compared to newborns without infection (p <0.05). Eight newborns with proven or clinical sepsis, but only one with disease without infection, showed an increased percentage of CD64%2b cells (diagnostic specificity = 96.8%25). No significant differences were found in the expression of the other leucocyte differentiation antigens studied. As previously described, TNF-α and IL6 levels were significantly elevated in newborns with proven or clinical sepsis compared to neonates without infection (p <0.05). Our results suggest that, through a single determination, the enhanced expression of CD64 is a highly specific indicator of NS, although its diagnostic sensitivity is low (25.8%25). In contrast, we found that plasma levels of IL-1 β and sCD62L, as well as the expression of Mac-1, CD43, CD44, CD50, and CD62L, do not appear to be useful for the diagnosis of NS. © 2002:Blacwell Munksgaard.

publication date

  • 2002-01-01