Automatic volumetric capillary cytometry in the routine of an apheresis unit involved in multicomponent collection

In apheresis, leukodepletion by secondary filtration of the platelet components or by the primary use of special high efficiency apparatuses is widely used to meet current clinical practice. Leukodepletion of RBC is mandatory for hematooncological patients and new filters for plasma are progressively being introduced in the routine of European blood banks. However, since the monitoring of leukodepletion efficiency continues to be carried out manually using the Nageotte or the microdroplet fluorescence assay (MFA), inaccuracy and labour-intensity of counting will limit the possibility of satisfying the increasing demand for leukodepletion monitoring. Volumetric capillary cytometry (VCC) is a totally automated system that has been shown to correlate well with Nageotte, MFA and flow-cytometric countings of residual leukocytes in platelet and RBC product. In this article we describe the application of VCC in the quality control program of our hemapheresis unit in which all apheresis donations are of the multicomponent collection type.