Absolute Eosinophil Counts as a Prognostic Marker in Patients with Sepsis.

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients. It is necessary to have markers of severity that are easily accessible and useful to guide treatment in a timely manner. Eosinophil count could be a potential biomarker in sepsis, and it is routinely checked in clinical practice.

Aims and objectives: To assess absolute eosinophil count (AEC) as prognostic marker in patients with sepsis.

Methodology: This observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in South India. A total of 100 patients admitted with sepsis were included. AEC and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score were calculated at admission and after 72 h. AEC was correlated with the SOFA score. These patients were clinically followed up during their hospital stay. A receiver operating characteristic curve was developed to determine the optimum AEC cutoff point for predicting mortality.

Results: Decreasing trend of AEC during the course of hospital stay (after 72 h) of admission was found to have a strong negative correlation with SOFA score. AEC cutoff <50 cells/mm 3 after 72 h of admission was associated with increased mortality. Low AEC after 72 h of admission and decreasing trend of AEC were associated with increased risk of requirement of ionotropic support, dialysis, ventilator, and mortality.

Conclusion: A decline in AEC after 72 h of admission was linked to increased mortality. Therefore, eosinophil count can be used as a cost-effective marker for assessing severity and prognosis in patients with sepsis.