Related Experiment Videos
Increased mean platelet volume in septicaemia
Abstract:
An increased mean platelet volume (MPV), measured by the Coulter counter model S plus, was found in 13 of 25 patients with proven septicaemia but in none of 25 patients with localised bacterial infection and negative blood cultures. The increase in MPV was found both in patients with normal and low platelet counts and was not related to a particular micro-organism. Patients who responded favourably to antibiotic treatment all had normal MPVs after one week of treatment. However, 9 of 11 patients with a prolonged course of their infection due to endocarditis or abdominal abscesses had raised MPVs after seven days of treatment, and four patients who died of infection in the first week all had increased MPVs on the day of their death. An increased MPV in a patient with bacterial infection possibly indicates that the infection has become invasive--that is, that septicaemia has occurred. A persistent rise or further increase indicates that treatment is inadequate.
Insights
Elevated mean platelet volume (MPV) can indicate invasive bacterial infection (septicemia). Persistent high MPV suggests inadequate antibiotic treatment, aiding in patient management.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Septicemia is a severe, life-threatening condition.
- Early detection of septicemia is crucial for effective treatment.
- Platelet parameters are increasingly recognized as potential biomarkers in infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic utility of mean platelet volume (MPV) in differentiating localized bacterial infections from septicemia.
- To assess the correlation between MPV and treatment response in bacterial infections.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study comparing MPV in patients with proven septicemia versus localized bacterial infection.
- MPV was measured using a Coulter counter model S plus.
- MPV levels were monitored during antibiotic treatment.
Main Results:
- 13 of 25 septicemia patients had increased MPV; none of 25 localized infection patients did.
- Increased MPV was observed irrespective of platelet count or specific microorganism.
- Patients responding to antibiotics normalized MPV within a week.
- Non-responders and non-survivors showed persistently elevated or increasing MPV levels.
Conclusions:
- Increased MPV may serve as an early indicator of invasive bacterial infection (septicemia).
- Persistent elevation of MPV suggests inadequate treatment response.
- MPV monitoring can aid in assessing treatment efficacy and patient prognosis in bacterial infections.