Neutrophil-derived ROS as a rapid functional biomarker: diagnostic and prognostic performance of the…

ObservationalFrontiers in immunology· 2026

Neutrophil-derived ROS as a rapid functional biomarker: diagnostic and prognostic performance of the Leukocyte ImmunoTest in infection and sepsis.

Nazlıhan Boyacı Dündar, David Sarphie, Kenan Yüce … Gülendam Bozdayı

Hospital MedicineObservationalDiagnosisQ1IF 6.4

Higher Leukocyte ImmunoTest values are associated with increased mortality in infection and sepsis.

Neutrophil-derived ROS as a rapid functional biomarker: diagnostic and prognostic performance of the Leukocyte ImmunoTest in infection and sepsis.

Nazlıhan Boyacı Dündar … Gülendam Bozdayı

Frontiers in immunology · 2026

Background

Early diagnosis of sepsis remains a major clinical challenge due to the dynamic interplay between infection and host immune response.

Methods

Were categorized post hoc into three groups: inpatient controls (n=29), infection (n=47), and sepsis (n=106).

n = 29

Results

higher neutrophil activity, measured by LIT, is linked to a higher risk of dying

HR 1.60 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.20)

null 1

1.20

2.20

CI excludes the null - significant

More results

Median Leukocyte ImmunoTest values increased across diagnostic groups: 470 relative light units in controls, 882 in infection, and 2466 in sepsis (adjusted p < 0.05).

More results

Leukocyte ImmunoTest demonstrated good diagnostic performance in identifying infection (AUC: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.911-0.968) and sepsis (AUC: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.795-0.915), with performance comparable to c-reactive protein and procalcitonin, respectively.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 3

Leukocyte ImmunoTest is a rapid bedside immune assay capturing the dynamic nature of neutrophil activation, demonstrating diagnostic and prognostic performance comparable to established biomarkers such as c-reactive protein and procalcitonin in infection and sepsis.

Conclusion · 2 of 3

These findings suggest that Leukocyte ImmunoTest may have potential as a complementary biomarker in sepsis management.

Conclusion · 3 of 3

Multicenter studies are needed to confirm its integration into sepsis protocols and to further clarify its role in early recognition, risk stratification, and individualized care.

Neutrophil-derived ROS as a rapid functional biomarker: diagnostic and prognostic performance of the Leukocyte ImmunoTest in infection and sepsis.

Neutrophil-derived ROS as a rapid functional biomarker: diagnostic and prognostic performance of the Leukocyte ImmunoTest in infection and sepsis.

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