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[Automatic and manual methods for counting the thrombocytes in the blood]
Insights
The electronic platelet counting method offers better reproducibility than the chamber method, though reliability decreases at low platelet counts. This automated method is faster and less labor-intensive for blood analysis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Clinical Pathology
- Medical Laboratory Science
Background:
- Accurate platelet counting is crucial for diagnosing and managing various hematological conditions.
- Traditional chamber methods for platelet enumeration can be labor-intensive and prone to variability.
- Advancements in automated hematology analyzers offer potential improvements in efficiency and reproducibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the reproducibility and correlation of platelet counts obtained by a chamber method (phase contrast microscopy) and an electronic-automatic method (Thrombocounter C).
- To evaluate the performance of both methods across different platelet count ranges (low, referent, high).
- To assess the speed and user-friendliness of the electronic method compared to the chamber method.
Main Methods:
- Platelet counts were determined using a standard chamber method with phase contrast microscopy.
- Simultaneously, platelet counts were obtained using the electronic-automatic Thrombocounter C.
- Reproducibility was assessed across low, referent, and high platelet count regions.
- Statistical analysis included correlation (r-value) and comparison of means (p-value).
Main Results:
- The electronic-automatic method demonstrated superior reproducibility compared to the chamber method across all tested regions.
- A high positive correlation (r = 0.9145) was observed between the two methods, with no significant difference in mean values (p > 0.05).
- Reproducibility for the electronic method was notably reduced in the low platelet count region (< 80 x 10(9)/l).
- The electronic method was significantly faster and less tiresome than the manual chamber method.
Conclusions:
- The electronic-automatic platelet counting method provides a more reproducible and efficient alternative to the chamber method for routine blood analysis.
- Clinicians should be aware of the decreased reliability of the electronic method in samples with very low platelet counts.
- The Thrombocounter C offers a practical advantage in terms of speed and reduced user fatigue for platelet enumeration.
Abstract:
The results are compared from the platelet count in blood via chamber method with phase contrast and via electronic method with "Thrombocounter C". The reproducibility was studied in a series in the low, referent and high region. The electronic-automatic method gives a better reproducibility than the chamber method in all three regions. The poorest is the reproducibility in the low region where VC of both methods were the closest. The results from the two methods are in a high positive correlation (r = 0.9145, n = 61), the arithmetical mean from the electronic method being insignificantly higher than the mean of the chamber method, p greater than 0.05. In the low region, with platelets under 80 X 10(9)/l, the reliability of the electronic-automatic method is decreased. The results from the chamber and electronic-automatic method have a normal distribution. The electronic-automatic method is several times faster and less tiresome than the chamber one.