Prognostic Value of the Delta Neutrophil Index for Predicting 28-Day Mortality in Intensive Care Unit Patients with Candidemia.

In 246 ICU adults with candidemia, higher delta neutrophil index (DNI) at blood culture collection is linked to 28-day mortality, with AUC up to 0.625.

• Why it matters: Early risk identification in critically ill candidemia remains difficult, and DNI’s prognostic role is unclear despite prior sepsis evidence.
• What they did: This retrospective study (2020–2023) measured DNI, leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin 24 hours before, at, and 24 hours after blood culture; multivariable logistic regression and ROC analysis were used.
• The result: DNI and procalcitonin were higher in non-survivors at all time points; DNI’s independent association weakened after adjustment for Candida species and antifungal therapy, and discrimination was limited (AUC 0.608–0.625; cutoff 2.4).