Role of Raised C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) and Differential Leukocyte Count (DLC) in Odontogenic Space Infections

Abstract

Objectives: Serum C- Reactive Protein (CRP), Total Leukocyte Count (TLC) and Differential Leukocyte Count (DLC) measurements have been effectively utilized as a diagnostic marker to study infection in many disciplines. However, the usefulness of these is scarce in maxillofacial infections. This study aimed to assess the frequency of raised CRP, TLC and DLC in patients with odontogenic space infections.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, de'Montmorency College of Dentistry, Punjab Dental Hospital, Lahore, over a span of six months i.e., from August 2019 to February 2020. A total of 181 patients (age range from 18 to 70 years) with facial space infection of odontogenic origin only were recruited. Patients suffering from chronic disease like diabetes mellitus and chronic renal failure, and pregnant women were excluded. Patient's venous blood samples were collected preoperatively and sent to the hospital laboratory for measurement of CRP, TLC and DLC levels. Descriptive statistics (mean±standard deviation and frequencies) were performed using SPSS version 21.

Results: Amongst the 181 participants, the mean age of 44.43 ± 14.68 years were recorded of which 113 (62.43%) were male and 68 (37.57%) were females with male to female ratio 1.7:1. The mean values of CRP were 3.52±1.23 mg/L, TLC were 13670±1890 cells/mm3 and DLC were 8.54±2.39 × 109 /L. Moreover, the frequency of CRP levels was raised in 100%, TLC in 71.82% and DLC in 85.08% patients with odontogenic space infections.

Conclusion: This study concluded that raised CRP levels are more indicative of the clinical severity of the infection compared to TLC and DLC. Thus, CRP was found to be an effective biomarker in patients with facial space infection of odontogenic origin