Neutrophils May Predict Development of Sepsis
The movement of white blood cells may predict burn patients who are at risk for sepsis, days before diagnosis is currently possible, according to a study published in PLOS ONE on Dec. 9, 2014. Using a novel microfluidic device, the researchers discovered that neutrophils from burn patients who went on to develop sepsis spontaneously migrate in the absence of chemical attractants, while neutrophils from healthy patients and burn patients without sepsis don’t move. The researchers hope that with further validation and refinement, a microfluidic test that assesses neutrophil movement can be used to predict sepsis and monitor effectiveness of antibiotic therapy. While the current study was conducted on burn patients, the researchers believe evaluation of neutrophil movement may be useful in other patients at risk for sepsis. “The most common blood test ordered to evaluate a patient’s ability to fight infection is absolute neutrophil count, based on the assumption that — like well-trained soldiers — neutrophils are always fast, disciplined and effective in pursuing their targets, meaning that the size of the neutrophil ‘army’ is all that matters,” said co-author Daniel Irimia, M.D., Ph.D., in a statement. “Our work challenges that assumption and shows that, even when the number of […]
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