Evaluation of C-reactive protein level and haematological parameters among septic subjects in selected hospitals in Anambra State

Background of study: Sepsis is a life-threatening medical condition characterized by an overwhelming infection and the body’s inflammatory response to infection. Thus, it is a potentially life-threatening condition that requires a medical emergency. Objective: This was designed to evaluate the usefulness of C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the management of individuals being treated for various infections in selected hospitals in Onitsha, Awka, and Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. Materials and methods: A total of 124 blood samples from septic patients and 50 samples from apparently healthy individuals were collected for this study. The temperature of the subjects at the time of sample collection was measured and their CRP and leukocyte count were also evaluated. The CRP levels were measured using ELISA technique while the leukocyte count was evaluated using FBC auto analyser. Results: The mean serum level of CRP of septic subjects (42.59±17.78) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the apparently healthy subjects (3.63±2.35). Also, the mean white blood cell count of test participants (17.83±6.15) increased significantly (P<0.05) compared to that of control subjects (6.49±2.57). The test subjects also showed a significantly elevated mean temperature value (38.16±0.38) than that of the control individuals (37.5±0.38) (P<0.05). There was also a significant difference (P<0.05) in the means values of neutrophil (13.68±4.61) and platelet count (404.92±72.50) of the test group when compared with that of the control group (2.51±1.26 and 301.84±90.75) respectively. More so, the correlation coefficient showed significant positive correlation (P<0.05) when mean serum level of CRP was compared with neutrophils (r=0.224), platelets count (r=0.359) and temperature (r=0.240). Conclusion: The significant positive correlation between CRP; neutrophil and platelet in addition with the significant positive relationship between CRP and temperature; suggests the relative importance of CRP as a predictive biomarker for septicemia.