We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Automated Slide-Based Approach Introduced for CBCs

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 14 Sep 2017
The most commonly performed clinical laboratory test is the complete blood count (CBC). More...
Currently, laboratory CBC systems obtain cell counts and morphologic information by maintaining the blood cells in a liquid “flow” and by using the Coulter impedance-based orifice or laser-based cytometry.

A novel automated slide-based approach to the complete blood count and white blood cell differential count has been introduced. A proof of concept for an image-based approach to complete blood count, based on a new slide preparation technique has been compared with the current flow-based technology.

Clinical Laboratory Scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA, USA) and their colleagues analyzed specimens were from a wide array of deidentified adult and pediatric inpatients and outpatients with a range of medical conditions, including hematologic and other malignancies. Specimens were sought and collected for comparison that had very high or low results for various parameters, without regard to diagnosis.

The investigators operated a prototype instrument that uses a proprietary method and technology to deposit a precise volume of undiluted peripheral whole blood in a monolayer onto a glass microscope slide so that every cell can be distinguished, counted, and imaged. The slide is stained, and then multispectral image analysis is used to measure the complete blood count parameters. Images from a 600-cell white blood cell differential count, as well as 5,000 red blood cells and a variable number of platelets that are present in 600 high-power fields are made available for a technologist to view on a computer screen. An initial comparison of the basic complete blood count parameters was performed, comparing 1,857 specimens on both the new instrument and a flow-based XE-5000 hematology analyzer.

The team found excellent correlations were obtained between the prototype instrument and a flow-based system. All parameters showed good to excellent correlation over a range of values spanning 1.79 × 106/μL to 6.8 × 106/μL for red cells; 0.01 × 103/μL to 60.4 × 103/μL for leucocutes; and 5 × 103/μL to 922 × 103/μL for platelets. The primary parameters of white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts resulted in correlation coefficients (r) of 0.99, 0.99, and 0.98, respectively. Other indices included hemoglobin (r = 0.99), hematocrit (r = 0.99), mean cellular volume (r = 0.90), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (r = 0.97), and mean platelet volume (r = 0.87). For the automated white blood cell differential counts, r values were calculated for neutrophils (r = 0.98), lymphocytes (r = 0.97), monocytes (r = 0.76), eosinophils (r = 0.96), and basophils (r = 0.63).

The authors concluded that quantitative results for components of the complete blood count and automated white blood cell differential count can be developed by image analysis of a monolayer preparation of a known volume of peripheral blood. The study was published in the August 2017 issue of the journal Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.

Related Links:
Brigham and Women's Hospital


Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Giardia Assay
AccuDiag Giardia
New
Multilevel Whole Blood Calibrator Set
6PLUS1
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The precision oncology test identifies patients most at risk of undergoing severe toxicity from treatment with 5FU/capecitabine (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Precision Oncology Test Predicts Patient Toxicity Before Beginning Chemotherapy

5-fluorouracil (5FU) and capecitabine have been cornerstone chemotherapeutic agents for over four decades, effectively treating a variety of cancers. However, 5FU/capecitabine can cause varying degrees... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: Custom hardware and software for the real-time detection of immune cell biophysical signatures in NICU (Photo courtesy of Pediatric Research, DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-03952-y)

First-Of-Its-Kind Device Profiles Newborns' Immune Function Using Single Blood Drop

Premature infants are highly susceptible to severe and life-threatening conditions, such as sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Newborn sepsis, which is a bloodstream infection occurring in the... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Mimix Reference Standards are cell-line derived to maintain genomic complexity and mimic patient material across molecular diagnostics workflows (Photo courtesy of Revvity)

New Cancer Testing Standards to Improve Diagnostic Accuracy for Oncology Labs

Accurate diagnosis, including the identification of genomic markers, is essential for determining the most effective cancer treatments for patients. To ensure this, laboratories require reliable reference... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The machine learning-based method delivers near-perfect survival estimates for PAC patients (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

AI Method Predicts Overall Survival Rate of Prostate Cancer Patients

Prostate adenocarcinoma (PAC) accounts for 99% of prostate cancer diagnoses and is the second most common cancer in men globally after skin cancer. With more than 3.3 million men in the United States diagnosed... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.