[Analysis of reticulocytes: manual microscopy, flow analyzers or image analyzers? (analytical review)]

Three procedures for determining the quantity and composition of reticulocytes (visual analysis during manual microscopy; flow cytometry, semi-automatic analysis using a computerized microscopy unit) are compared. The errors characteristics for each procedure and the reasons why manual analysis still remains most used are discussed. The paper points out that it is impossible to draw a conclusion on the accuracy of the procedures, by using the values of the correlation coefficient. Evidence is provided for the thesis that the statistical accuracy may be achieved only when the image analyzer of a computerized microscopy unit is employed, therefore this procedure is recommended for use as a reference one. The characteristics of a procedure for analyzing reticulocytes by means of a MEKOS-Ts2 computerized microscopy unit are presented.