The differential leukocyte count in shigellosis

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Hematology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Shigella gastroenteritis is a common childhood illness.
• Differentiating bacterial from viral gastroenteritis can be challenging.
• Leukocyte counts are routinely analyzed in pediatric infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of peripheral leukocyte counts in children with shigella gastroenteritis.
• To determine if leukocyte differential counts can help distinguish shigellosis from viral gastroenteritis.
• To highlight potential gaps in current pediatric textbook information regarding shigellosis diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of peripheral leukocyte counts (total and differential) in 80 children diagnosed with shigella gastroenteritis.
• Comparison of findings with typical presentations of viral gastroenteritis.
• Review of relevant chapters in pediatric textbooks.

Main Results:

• Total leukocyte counts showed wide variations (leukopenia to leukocytosis), offering limited diagnostic value.
• A significant left shift in the leukocyte differential count was observed in 71% of patients with shigella gastroenteritis.
• This left shift was not prominently featured in the reviewed pediatric textbooks.

Conclusions:

• The leukocyte differential count, specifically the left shift, is a valuable parameter for the preliminary diagnosis of shigella gastroenteritis in children.
• Pediatric textbooks may need updating to include the diagnostic significance of leukocyte differential patterns in shigellosis.
• Further research could explore the sensitivity and specificity of this finding in diverse pediatric populations.