122 - The role of clinical laboratory in neutropenic patient management
Autor(s): B. Biasioli, A.M. Cenci
Issue: RIMeL - IJLaM, Vol. 2, N. 3-S1, 2006 (MAF Servizi srl ed.)
Page(s): 122-127
Neutropenia is defined as an absolute granulocyte count below 2000/l. Clinically, the signs and symptoms of neutropenia depend on the level of the count. Because of the role of these cells in human organism, this situation puts the patients, unable to mount an adeguate defense against bacterial infections, at risk for spread of the infection and life-threating bacteremia. At present, Clinical Laboratory plays a part in the neutropenic patient management, both inpatient or outpatient, by continuous improving the analytical data quality during diagnosis and follow up, providing new analytical parameters and new tests to study and to confirm the several etiopathological mechanisms which can cause neutropenia, and monitoring the therapy. This role is clear and defined trough the complete analytical process and results crucial for the specific contribution in timing and decision making during all the patient clinical managing.