Erroneously elevated immature reticulocyte counts in leukemic patients determined using a Sysmex XE-2100 hematology...

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Clinical Pathology
• Laboratory Medicine

Background:

• The immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) reflects bone marrow erythropoietic activity.
• Automated analyzers calculate IRF, but its accuracy in specific patient groups requires investigation.

Observation:

• Leukemia patients exhibited abnormal reticulocyte scattergrams with elevated upper particle (UPP) values (>100).
• Five out of eleven leukemia patients showed erroneously elevated IRF.
• Control groups with benign hematologic diseases displayed normal scattergrams and UPP values (<100).

Findings:

• Immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) can be falsely elevated in leukemia patients.
• Abnormal scattergrams and high UPP values (>100) are associated with erroneously high IRF in this population.

Implications:

• Hematologists must carefully examine reticulocyte scattergrams and UPP values in leukemia patients.
• This vigilance is crucial for accurate interpretation of IRF and assessment of erythropoiesis in leukemic conditions.