Fungal Spores Affect Peripheral Blood Counting in Sysmex-5000i Automated Hematology Counter and Relative Case Report

Fungal spores can be observed on peripheral blood smears and may affect cell counting in an automated hematology counter. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fungal spores on cell counting in Sysmex-5000i automated hematology counter.

The common clinical fungal spores we selected were C. albicans, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata, using 0.9% normal saline to formulate a final concentration of 4 - 6 x 109/L fungal liquid, mixed with peripheral blood (containing high, medium and low concentrations of white blood cells and platelets), and formulated to different concentrations (4 - 6 x 108/L, 4 - 6 x 107/L, 4 - 6 x 106/L, 4 - 6 x 105/L).

This study investigated the effects of different species and different concentrations of fungal spores on cell counting in a Sysmex-5000i automated hematology counter, the changes in the scatter plot, and taking a clinical case for example. C. tropicalis and C. krusei had an overt effect on the white blood cell count at concentrations of up to 4 - 6 x 107/L, and C. krusei had an overt effect on the platelet count.

Fungal spores might have a greater impact on automated hematology analyzer cell counts. This effect is related to different species, different concentrations of fungal spores, and peripheral blood cells.