Flow cytometry: basic concepts and clinical applications in immunodiagnostics

To review current and possible future clinical applications of flow cytometry in immunodiagnostic procedures.

Recent research and review articles and textbooks on laboratory diagnosis and flow cytometry.

Not applicable.

Performed by the author.

Flow cytometry is the measurement of cellular and fluorescent properties of stained cells in a fluid stream as they move past a set of fixed detectors. The instruments are capable of measuring these properties on thousands of cells in but a few seconds. Many specimen types can be analyzed on the flow cytometer.

Flow cytometry is especially useful in monitoring immunodeficiencies, leukemias, and other malignancies, but it has other uses, as well. Improvements in instruments, reagents, and methods will cause an increase in the number of applications for flow cytometry. More laboratories will be able to purchase the equipment as it becomes less expensive. Flow cytometry provides the clinician valuable information in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.