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Comparison of interlaboratory variation in absolute T-cell counts by single-platform and optimized dual-platform
Lance E Hultin1, Marianne Chow, Beth D Jamieson
1Department of Medicine, Cellular Immunology and Cytometry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Cytometry. Part B, Clinical Cytometry
|October 9, 2009
Summary
This study found that single-platform flow cytometry did not reduce interlaboratory variation in T cell counts among Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) participants. Optimized dual-platform methods showed smaller variations than single-platform methods in this cohort.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Flow Cytometry
- Clinical Laboratory Science
Background:
- Previous studies suggested single-platform flow cytometry reduces interlaboratory variation in absolute T cell counts compared to dual-platform methods.
- The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) investigated if a single-platform method could decrease this variation across its laboratories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a single-platform flow cytometry method in reducing interlaboratory variation for absolute T cell counts within the MACS.
- To compare the performance of single-platform versus dual-platform methods in a multi-site HIV research cohort.
Main Methods:
- Identical blood samples were sent to MACS laboratories and a proficiency-testing program (NIAID-IQA).
- Both dual-platform (CD45 gating, automated hematology) and single-platform (TruCOUNT beads) flow cytometry methods were used for cell counting.
- Automated complete blood counts and differentials were also performed.
Main Results:
- Median percent coefficients of variation (%CVs) for CD4 T cells were 6.6% (dual-platform) and 9.9% (single-platform).
- Median %CVs for CD8 T cells were 5.9% (dual-platform) and 8.5% (single-platform).
- Differences in variation were not statistically significant; dual-platform methods showed smaller variations between MACS sites and NIAID-IQA.
Conclusions:
- Contrary to prior research, this study did not find lower interlaboratory variation with single-platform absolute lymphocyte subset counting in the MACS.
- The optimized dual-platform method used in this study exhibited lower interlaboratory variation than previously reported.
