We have introduced a concept of using the erythrocyte as a sensor for the detection of enhanced inflammation-sensitive protein concentrations. We presently evaluated the capability of this new biomarker to detect the presence of inflammation in individuals with a history of a vascular disease as opposed to individuals with atherothrombotic risk factors but no clinically evident vascular disease.

The degree of erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation was determined in the peripheral venous blood by using a simple blood test. Blood was drawn into a syringe containing sodium citrate and trickled onto a slide at an angle of 30°. The slides were than scanned by a blinded technician by using an image analyzer to determine the area that is covered by the erythrocytes.

One hundred fifty-six subjects (61 women and 95 men) of 2586 (1238 women and 1348 men) met the criteria of a definite vascular disease (history of stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting, or peripheral vascular disease). The degree of erythrocyte aggregation was significantly (P = .008) higher in men, but not in women, with vascular disease as opposed to these without a vascular disease. The results of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis confirmed the diagnostic superiority of the erythrocyte aggregation biomarker over other commonly used markers of the acute phase in men. Similar results were obtained by using discriminant analysis. Finally, a significant correlation was found between the degree of erythrocyte aggregation and other markers of the acute phase suggesting its relevance for the detection and quantitation of low-grade inflammation in individuals with atherothrombosis.

Erythrocyte adhesiveness/aggregation may be a useful biomarker to detect internal inflammation in individuals with atherothrombosis.