Platelet count: Is it a possible marker for severity and outcome of community acquired pneumonia?

BackgroundPlatelets have been increasingly recognized as an important component of innate and adaptive immunity. Platelet response in antimicrobial host defense is similar, in many ways, to the leukocyte response: both cell types contain antimicrobial peptides that act against a broad range of pathogens.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to detect whether platelet count could be used as a marker for severity of community acquired pneumonia or not.Subjects and methodsThe study included 40 cases of community acquired pneumonia admitted at Chest Department and Respiratory ICU at Ain Shams University Hospital, as well as, Chest Department and Respiratory ICU at Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital. All cases were subjected to the following: full history taking, thorough clinical examination including general and local examination, arterial blood gases, electrocardiography, radiological work up, routine laboratory investigations including compete blood picture and CURB-65 score as a marker for severity of pneumonia.ResultsThe results showed that there was a significant relation between the occurrence of respiratory complications and both thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis. Also, there was a significant relation between both thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis and the CURB-65 score as a score for severity of CAP. There was a significant relation between both thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis and mortality among the patients with CAP. Finally, platelet count is considered better positive than a negative predictor value to the outcome.ConclusionA better understanding of the role of platelets in the outcomes of patients with community acquired pneumonia may generate new prognostic and therapeutic modalities for patients with severe disease.