Sarmiento et al reported a score based on immunological host defense factors that can help to identify a heart transplant recipient at risk for a severe infection. The authors are from University Hospital Gregorio Maranon in Madrid.
Patient selection: heart transplant recipient
Parameters:
(1) C3 concentration in mg/dL
(2) number of NK cell count per microliter
(3) CD4 lymphocyte cell count per microliter
(4) IgG concentration in mg/dL
(5) C4 concentration in mg/dL
Parameter
Finding
Points
C3 concentration
< 80 mg/dL
5
>= 80 mg/dL
0
NK cell count
< 30 per µL
4
>= 30 per µL
0
CD4 lymphocyte count
< 350 per µL
3
>= 350 per µL
0
IgG concentration
< 600 mg/dL
2
>= 600 mg/dL
0
C4 concentration
< 18 mg/dL
2
>= 18 mg/dL
0
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 16
• A score >= 13 is associated with severe infection (HR 9.3).
Performance:
• The area under the ROC curve is 0.80.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
