Diagnostic Value of Neutrophil CD11b in Early-onset Neonatal Sepsis

Background: One of the main causes of newborn morbidity and mortality is neonatal sepsis. A challenge between a wide range of sepsis biomarkers was created in order to identify the best diagnostic and prognostic parameter that can get past the many limitations and confounding aspects of current laboratory diagnostic tools. One cell surface marker that is currently being studied and may be helpful in the diagnosis of sepsis is neutrophil CD11b (nCD11b). Therefore, our goal was to assess how nCD11b functions in the diagnosis and prognosis of newborn sepsis with an early onset. Methods: This case-control study was carried out at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Pediatrics and Clinical Pathology Departments, Zagazig University Hospital on sixty neonates divided into two groups; 30 sepsis group as patient group and 30 controls without sepsis. All neonates were subjected to full history taking, full clinical examination and investigations including (CBC, CRP, serum electrolytes, liver function tests, renal function tests, blood culture, and nCD11b). Neutrophil CD11b percentage and Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) was assessed by flowcytometry, baseline for both case and control groups, and a second sample for case group after five days of the first one. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the studied groups regarding neutrophil CD 11b % at baseline and after treatment (significantly higher among case group) while there was no significant difference regarding neutrophil CD11b MFI at baseline and after treatment. Conclusion: Neutrophil CD11b emerges as a promising diagnostic and monitoring tool for neonatal sepsis.