Table 3.
Causes of New Abnormal Fever or Leukocytosis in Patients With Respiratory Cultures Obtained Without Clinical/Radiographic Evidence of Pneumonia
| Cause of Abnormal Temperature/White Blood Cell Count | Total No. (n = 107) | Percentage of Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Postoperative fever/leukocytosis | 32 | 29.9 |
| Central process | 24 | 22.4 |
| Extrapulmonary infection | 24 | 22.4 |
| Noninfectious pulmonary decompensation | 17 | 15.9 |
| Other | 11 | 10.3 |
| Steroids/leukemoid stress reaction | 10 | 9.3 |
| Ischemia | 6 | 5.6 |
| DVT/PE | 6 | 5.6 |
| Hematoma | 5 | 4.7 |
| Cancer/tumor fever | 4 | 3.7 |
| Autoimmune condition | 1 | 0.9 |
| Drug fever | 1 | 0.9 |
Abbreviation: DVT/PE, deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism.
Abnormal white blood cell count was defined as abnormal white blood cell count (>12 × 109/L or <4 × 109/L) with a normal value in the preceding 36 hours. Abnormal temperature was defined as >38°C or <36°C with a normal value in the preceding 36 hours. Central process = stroke, intraparenchymal hemorrhage, seizures, and global cerebral ischemia secondary to cardiac arrest. Noninfectious decompensation = flash pulmonary edema, aspiration pneumonitis, mucous plugging. Leukemoid stress reaction = leukocytosis attributable to non–septic shock physiology (ie, cardiogenic shock).