Author Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Dr Behçet Uz Children's Hospital, Alsancak, Izmir, Turkey (Genel F, Atlihan F, Gulez N, Kazanci E, Vergin C, Tumay Terek D, Cengel Yurdun O)

Corresponding Author: Ferah Genel, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Dr Behçet Uz Children's Hospital, 1374 sokak, No: 11, 35210, Alsancak, Izmir, Turkey (Tel: +90 232 489 56 56; Fax: +90 232 489 23 15; Email: ferahgen@yahoo.com)

doi: 10.1007/s12519-011-0304-6

Background: This study was undertaken to assess the value of neutrophils CD11b, CD64, and CD62L for the early diagnosis of neonatal infection.

Methods: Eighty-four neonates who were followed up for a suspected neonatal infection were included in this study. They were assigned into an infection group (n=49) and a non-infection group (n=35). Healthy neonates served as controls (n=35). A full sepsis screening was performed and neutrophil and monocyte expressions of CD11b, CD64 and CD62L were determined by flow cytometry.

Results: The expressions of CD64 and CD11b were significantly enhanced in the infection group compared to the non-infective group and the controls.

Conclusions: CD64 expression on neutrophils and monocytes is a useful diagnostic marker for the early diagnosis of neonatal infection. Combination of CD64, CD11b and C reactive protein further enhances the sensitivity of the expression and its negative predictive value.

Key words: adhesion molecule; markers; neonatal infection

                   World J Pediatr 2012;8(1):72-75