CRP and WBC as Diagnostic Markers for Septicemia and Meningitis

Yasmine  Faraj Abu Shaala; Amal Al -Fitouri Al -Fitour

doi:10.71147/wf2gq930

Authors

Yasmine Faraj Abu Shaala Biomedical Research and Consulting Center,,Misurata University, Libya Author
Amal Al -Fitouri Al -Fitour Faculty of Medical Technology, Misurata University, Libya Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.71147/wf2gq930

Keywords:

Blood Culture, Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture, C-Reactive Protein, Isolates microbes, Misurata Medical Center.

Abstract

Septicemia and bacterial meningitis remain life-threatening conditions, particularly among newborns and critically ill patients with weakened immunity. The widespread misuse of antibiotics has further complicated diagnosis by contributing to antimicrobial resistance. Rapid, reliable, and cost-effective diagnostic markers are therefore urgently needed. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic role of C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count in detecting septicemia and bacterial meningitis. A descriptive-analytical, hospital-based design were conducted at Misurata Medical Center, Libya, between January 2023 and May 2024. After ethical approval, data were obtained from the Medical Laboratories Department, including blood cultures, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures, CRP levels, and WBC counts.

A total of 274 patients were enrolled (34% male, 66% female; age range: 1 day–71 years). Pathogens isolated from CSF included Staphylococcus aureus (7 cases), Streptococcus spp. (1), and Acinetobacter spp. (1). Blood cultures yielded S. aureus (5), Streptococcus spp. (3), Acinetobacter spp. (3), Klebsiella spp. (2), and single isolates of Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., and Candida albicans. Correlation analysis showed significant associations between positive blood cultures, elevated CRP, and increased WBC counts, while no significant correlation was found with CSF cultures. The most effective antibiotics identified were amikacin (AK), ciprofloxacin (CIP), gentamicin (CN), ceftriaxone (CRO), piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP), and imipenem (IMP).

References

Al-Mulla, N. A., et al. (2014). Bacterial bloodstream infections and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in pediatric hematology/oncology patients after anticancer chemotherapy (pp. 289–299).

Al Shaqri, E. J., & Balkhair, A. J. C. (2024). Relationship of C-reactive protein/serum albumin ratio and qPitt bacteremia score with all-cause in-hospital mortality in patients with bloodstream infections. 16(8).

Al-Yosaffi, E. A., et al. (2023). Antibiotic sensitivity of bacterial bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit patients of university hospitals in Sana’a City, Yemen.

Benjamin, D. R., Opheim, K. E., & Brewer, L. (1984). Is C reactive protein useful in the management of children with suspected bacterial meningitis? American Journal of Clinical Pathology, 81(6), 779–782.

El Sabbagh, G. G., & AbdElatty, R. I. J. B. M. J. (2024). Predictors of mortality in outborns with neonatal sepsis: A prospective observational study. 41(Special Issue: Pediatrics), 19–29.

Hamaameen, N. O., & Khider, A. K. J. B. S. J. (2024). Traditional and molecular methods for diagnosing bacterial meningitis in Erbil city, Iraq. 21(2), 0275–0275.

Honnalli, C. (2024). CRP level in various neuro-infections and its correlation in determining bacterial meningitis from non-bacterial meningitis in relation to CSF-CRP.

Jeivanth, S. B., Shreemathee Baskar, M. F., Kumar, K. S., Mostafa, O. E., Bawazir, A., & AlQumaizi, K. I. (2025). Role of hematological parameters in the early detection of clinical cases for septicemia among neonates: A hospital-based study from Chennai, India. PLOS ONE, March 19, 2025.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2024). Blood and urine investigations for investigating and diagnosing suspected bacterial meningitis [Evidence review, tables and forest plots]. NICE Clinical Guidelines NG240.

Pediatric Infectious Disease Society. (2023). Diagnostic utility of cerebrospinal fluid white blood cell components in meningitis. Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, 12(Suppl 2), S44–S53.

PubMed (BMJ Archives of Disease in Childhood). (2025). The value of white blood cell count in predicting serious bacterial infection in children in emergency departments. Archives of Disease in Childhood.