LEUKERGY - A NEW DIAGNOSTIC-TEST FOR BONE INFECTION

This new blood test for infection is based on the phenomenon of leuker gy in which white cells agglomerate in the peripheral blood of patient s with inflammatory diseases. It was used in 26 patients with proven b one or joint infection and was positive in 25. The leukergy test was m ore accurate than the ESR, white cell count or blood culture. The perc entage of cells agglomerated correlated with the clinical severity of the infection and the test detected reactivation of the septic process better than the other haematological tests. It is a rapid and inexpen sive method which is useful in the diagnosis and management of bone an d joint infections.