A rapid, reliable method for uNK cell density estimation

Interest in uterine NK cell density as a diagnostic or screening tool in reproductive disorders is growing. However, current methods of analysis are time consuming. In this study, 997 images from 100 women were analysed both by the currently used method combining manual and computer aided counting, and by using colour splitting combined with area measurement as an estimate of positively stained cells. Good correlation was found between both methods (r(2)=0.92) centred around the line of equality, with no systematic differences observed in Bland Altman plots. The area measurement was significantly faster and thus is a useful screening method.