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Updated: Mar 16, 2026

Quality-Controlled Sputum Analysis by Flow Cytometry
Published on: August 9, 2021
Assessment of a rapid liquid-based cytology method for measuring sputum cell counts
M J Martin1, H Lee1, G Meakin1
1The Asthma Centre, Nottingham Respiratory Research Unit, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK.
Abstract:
Differential sputum cell counting is not widely available despite proven clinical utility in the management of asthma. We compared eosinophil counts obtained using liquid-based cytology (LBC), a routine histopathological processing method, and the current standard method. Eosinophil counts obtained using LBC were a strong predictor of sputum eosinophilia (≥3%) determined by the standard method suggesting LBC could be used in the management of asthma.
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