POINTS CLÉS EN BIOLOGIE MEDICALE
5.2 Laboratory findings
Sepsis severity may be indicated by the demonstration of a number of laboratory investigations, including the degree of leucocytosis/leucopoenia, the number of immature white cell forms, concentrations of CRP and procalcitonin, ESR and markers of end-organ dysfunction (lactataemia, elevated bilirubin, thrombocytopaenia and changes in serum creatinine concentration); however, none are diagnostic for IE.
5.4 Microbiological diagnosis
5.4.1 Blood culture–positive infective endocarditis
Positive blood cultures remain the cornerstone of diagnosis and provide live bacteria for both identification and susceptibility testing.
