Improving Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections in Infants

https://www.technologynetworks.com/tn/news/improving-diagnosis-of-bacterial-infections-in-infants-315611?utm_campaign=NEWSLETTER_TN_Breaking%20Science%20News&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=70075923&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--7rdBNGfNEtI4X890ykHYmammUuK5in-sOJkzk68AGVEEOGh7WGjgC-pm9BpxqW6hlp79Rjtw3_oPM6kmn7QTi58pkoA&_hsmi=70075923 The new protocol measures the levels of bacteria in urine, of procalcitonin (a substance produced in response to bacterial infection) in serum, and of neutrophils (an infection-fighting white blood cell). The researchers ruled out an SBI if tests showed low levels of bacteria and procalcitonin and a normal neutrophil count. They were able to accurately rule out all but three of the 170 cases of SBI ultimately detected, including all cases of meningitis. The authors note that their findings need to be verified in a larger sample before they can be applied to medical practice.