[A predictive bacterial infection score according to eosinophil level: An observational study]

Area of Science:

• Internal Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Eosinopenia (<0.04g/L) is a potential marker for bacterial infections in patients with inflammatory syndromes.
• The diagnostic utility of eosinopenia requires further validation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that eosinopenia is a marker of bacterial infection.
• To develop a predictive score (CIBLE score) for bacterial infection.

Main Methods:

• An observational, single-center study included 190 patients with inflammatory biological syndrome.
• Patients were categorized into bacterial infection (Group 1) and non-bacterial inflammatory disease (Group 2) groups.
• Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis identified a cut-off eosinophil count of 0.04g/L.

Main Results:

• ROC analysis confirmed 0.04g/L as a discriminant cut-off for eosinophils in predicting bacterial infection.
• Multivariate analysis identified eosinophil/neutrophil ratio, COPD history, C-reactive protein, age, and temperature as significant predictors.
• The CIBLE score was developed using these variables, with a score >= 87 indicating a >= 70% probability of bacterial infection.

Conclusions:

• The CIBLE score is a relevant and cost-effective tool for assessing the probability of bacterial infection.
• The score integrates key clinical and laboratory parameters for improved diagnostic accuracy.