Differential Cell Count and CRP Level in Blood as Predictors for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection in Acute Febrile Patients during Nosocomial Outbreak

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 151 - 154
• Main Authors: Park, Ga Eun, Kang, Cheol-In, Ko, Jae-Hoon, Cho, Sun Young, Ha, Young Eun, Kim, Yae-Jean, Peck, Kyong Ran, Song, Jae-Hoon, Chung, Doo Ryeon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 01.01.2017; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers - analysis; Biomarkers - blood; Brief Communication; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Case-Control Studies; Coronavirus Infections - diagnosis; Coronavirus Infections - epidemiology; Disease Outbreaks; Female; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Leukocytes - cytology; Leukocytes - metabolism; Leukocytosis - etiology; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Predictive Value of Tests; 의학일반; Coronavirus; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome; Monocytosis; Predictors
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2017.32.1.151

A case-control study was performed to identify clinical predictors for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection among patients with acute febrile illness during the nosocomial outbreak. Patients with MERS-CoV were more likely to have monocytosis with normal white blood cell (WBC) count and lower C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Simple laboratory data such as complete blood counts (CBC) with differential count could be a useful marker for the prediction of MERS and triage at the initial presentation of acute febrile patients in outbreak setting.