[Automatic and manual methods for counting the thrombocytes in the blood]

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.