Automated cell count in body fluids: a review

Area of Science:

• Clinical diagnostics
• Laboratory medicine
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Body fluid cell counting is crucial for diagnosing various conditions.
• Optical microscopy is the gold standard but has limitations: slow, less reproducible, and requires expert staff.
• Automated cell counting modes have been developed for body fluid analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current automated cell counters for body fluids.
• To discuss the interpretation of parameters from these analyzers.
• To compare automated methods with traditional optical microscopy.

Main Methods:

• Review of available literature and commercial automated cell counting systems for body fluids.
• Analysis of analytical features and measured parameters of automated analyzers.
• Discussion of the complementary role of optical microscopy.

Main Results:

• Automated cell counters are increasingly used in routine laboratory practice.
• Several automated analyzers are available, offering improved efficiency over manual methods.
• Limitations exist, and highly qualified professionals are still needed for operation and interpretation.

Conclusions:

• Automated cell counting is advancing body fluid analysis, improving speed and efficiency.
• Understanding analyzer parameters and limitations is key for accurate diagnostics.
• Optical microscopy remains important, particularly for complex cases and validation.