Clinical Significance of Delta Neutrophil Index as Diagnostic Indicator for Patients in Sepsis

Abstract

Objective: To determine the clinical significance sof Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI) in diagnosing sepsis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pathology, Pakistan Navy Ship, Shifa Hospital, Karachi from Jan to Jun 2020.

Methodology: The study included one hundred and fifty patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) sadmitted to the medical intensive care unit (ICU). Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI) is the difference in leukocyte sub-fractions recognized by myeloperoxidase reactive cells and nuclear lobularity channels. A specific blood cell analyzer measured DNI, and a cut-off of 2.7% was used to diagnose the sepsis. Positive blood culture was considered the gold standard.
Results: The Delta Neutrophil Index (DNI) showed a sensitivity of 72.2% and a specificity of 97.6%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) was determined to be 0.82(0.81–0.94). The threshold efficiency was 2.5 per cent for the highest diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion: As an early diagnostic measure for evaluating patients with septicemia, the Delta neutrophil index can be a reasonable and effective indicator and should be encouraged in regular screening programs.
Keywords: Delta neutrophil index, Immature granulocyte, Infectious disease, Systemic inflammation, Sepsis