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Body fluid analysis: automated system versus manual method

Anna Finuliar and Alison Hadfield examine the laboratory methods in use to quantify and differentiate cells in body fluids, and assess the value of automation in routine practice.

Body fluid analysis primarily measures total white blood cell (WBCs) and differential counts; mainly mononuclear cells (MNC) and polymorphonuclear cells (PMN). The WBC count and classification of cells in body fluids are used by the clinician in order to differentiate the pathophysiology of inflammation and for arriving at a definitive diagnosis.

The manual differential has been the gold standard for determining WBCs in body fluids;1 however, this method shows low accuracy, is time consuming and labour-intensive as it requires highly skilled professionals to perform the analysis. Therefore, body fluid analysis may be compromised by the lack of qualified staff in the laboratory, but adapting to an automated counting system could overcome this problem.

The Sysmex XN-10 offers an automated body fluid (BF) mode which is able to quantify and differentiate white blood cells into two populations, MNCs and PMNs. The aim of this small study is to compare the manual differential used at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospital Trust (NUTH) and the Sysmex XN-BF mode for body fluid analysis. The null hypothesis states that there will be no significant difference between the manual method and use of the Sysmex XN-10 BF mode.

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Upcoming Events

USCAP 113th Annual Meeting

Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23-28 March, 2024

Pathology Horizons 2024

MacDonald Bath Spa Hotel, Bath
18-20 April, 2024

Diagnostics North East Conference 2024

The Catalyst, Newcastle upon Tyne
19 April, 2024

ECCMID 2024 - European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Fira Gran Via, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
27-30 April 2024

British Society for Microbial Technology Annual Microbiology Conference

UK Health Security Agency, Colindale, London
2 May 2024

EQA Reports: Interpreting Key Information & Troubleshooting Tips

ONLINE - Zoom
Thursday 16th May 2024

Access the latest issue of Pathology In Practice on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Pathology In Practice app from your device's App store

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