Table 2.
Laboratory and Diagnostic Investigations to Identify the Etiologies of Nosocomial Fever
| Laboratory Testing and Diagnostic Investigations | Total, n | Positive Findings Related to the Identified Etiology, n (%)a |
|---|---|---|
| Complete blood count | 86 | |
| Mean hemoglobin (SD), g/dL | 9.52 (1.79) | |
| Median white blood count (P25-P75), x 103 cells/mm3 | 10.31 (7.39–13.83) | |
| Median platelet count (P25-P75), x 103 cells/mm3 | 199 (124–272) | |
| Radiographic study | ||
| Chest radiography | 86 | 27 (31.4) |
| Computed tomography | 18 | 13 (72.2) |
| Ultrasonography | 14 | 7 (50.0) |
| Cultures | ||
| Blood culture | 84 | 9 (10.7) |
| Respiratory sample culture | 53 | 20 (37.7) |
| Urine culture | 60 | 12 (20.0) |
| Other investigations | ||
| Blood antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing | 17 | 1 (5.9)b |
| Blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) testing | 14 | 2 (14.3)c |
| Blood procalcitonin (PCT) testing | 20 | 7 (35)d |
| Blood C-reactive protein (CRP) testing | 8 | 6 (75)e |
| Tissue biopsy and diagnosis | 12 | 6 (50.0)f |
Notes: aIt is defined as the rate of positive results from laboratory and diagnostic investigations that gave rise to establish the etiology of nosocomial fever or the results could aid the etiology identification. bOne subject developed an exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus and having a highly elevated ANA titer. cOne subject with diagnosis of Burkitt lymphoma (LDH level of 1693 U/L) and one subject with diagnosis of peripheral T cell lymphoma (LDH level of 2500 U/L). dPCT levels ranged from 0.55–10.7 ng/mL which were derived from seven subjects with nosocomial infections. eHighly elevated CRP levels ranged from 50.42 to 242.16 mg/L which were derived from various etiologies, such as drug fever (2), bacteremia (1), pneumonia (1), spondylodiscitis (1) and peripheral T cell lymphoma (1). fVarious etiologies identified, such as lymphoma (3), hematoma (1), adrenal hemorrhage (1), and cerebral thrombosis (1).