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Interlaboratory Reproducibility of Blood Morphology Using the Digital Microscope
Jurgen A Riedl1, Karlijn Stouten2, Huib Ceelie3
1Department of Clinical Chemistry, Geïntegreerd Klinisch Chemisch Laboratorium, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Dordrecht, Netherlands j.riedl@asz.nl.
Journal of Laboratory Automation
|May 1, 2015
Summary
Automated digital microscopy offers reliable peripheral blood cell differential counting, comparable to manual methods. This study confirms reproducible results for major cell types across independent systems, though basophil detection needs improvement.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Medical technology
- Diagnostic imaging
Background:
- Manual peripheral blood cell differential counting is crucial but labor-intensive.
- Digital microscopy offers automated cell classification, but interlaboratory variation data is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the interlaboratory reproducibility of independently operated digital microscopy systems.
- To assess the accuracy of automated classification for major peripheral blood cell types and blast cells.
Main Methods:
- Four independent digital microscope systems were used to classify cells in 200 peripheral blood samples.
- Performance was evaluated by comparing automated counts against averaged results using R(2) values.
Main Results:
- High reproducibility (R(2) 0.70-0.96) was observed for neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and blast cells.
- Basophil detection showed low reproducibility (R(2) 0.28-0.34) due to their low incidence.
Conclusions:
- Independently operated digital microscopy systems provide reproducible preclassification of common peripheral blood cells and blast cells.
- Further optimization is needed for reliable basophil detection in automated systems.
