Comparison of total white blood cell count and serum C-reactive protein levels in confirmed bacterial and viral infections

Received 22 December 2005; received in revised form 1 June 2006; accepted 19 August 2006.

We report the association of reaction in inflammatory markers with the microbiologic etiology of infection in children. Total white blood cell counts were increased in most pneumococcal and Escherichia coli infections, but in less than one-half of Staphylococcus aureus infections. Adenoviruses were the only viral agents that often increased total white blood cell counts or serum C-reactive protein levels.

Abbreviations: WBC, White blood cell count, CRP, C-reactive protein, RSV, Respiratory syncytial virus, UTI, Urinary tract infection

Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.

Reprint requests: Ville Peltola, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, PL 52, 20521 Turku, Finland.

Supported by the Academy of Finland (grant 109148).

PII: S0022-3476(06)00801-8

doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.08.051

52 of 67