Admission eosinophil count predicts hospital resource utilization in community-acquired pneumonia: a prospective multicenter study

Background: Eosinopenia has been associated with adverse outcomes in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, its relationship with hospital resource utilization remains unclear. Research Question: Association of admission eosinophil counts with hospital resource utilization in adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Study Design and Methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study (CAPNETZ; project number 2024-07-11-CHV6) has enrolled adult patients (>/=18 years) with CAP in medical centers in Germany since 2017. Associations between admission blood eosinophil counts and hospital resource utilization—including intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation, and length of stay—were assessed using multivariable regression models. The optimal eosinophil count threshold for stratifying patients by ICU admission and mechanical ventilation rates was identified, and outcomes were compared between patients above and below this threshold. Results: Lower eosinophil counts at admission were independently associated with increased ICU admission (n=1,639; P