Performance evaluation of hematology analyzer XN-10 (Blood Bank mode) and its comparison with flow-cytometer for...

The quality control of leukodepleted blood components is based on residual white blood cells (rWBCs). Routinely rWBC in leukodepleted are performed flow cytometer (FCM). Newer hematology analyzers like Sysmex XN series can count rWBC accurately.

There were two study objectives: (1) to evaluate analytical performance of XN blood bank (BB) mode, and (2) to compare the measurement of rWBC and residual red blood cell between the XN BB mode and flow cytometer (FCM), considered "gold standard." This cross sectional analytical study was conducted on three type of blood components; leukodepleted random donor platelets (LRDP), leukodepleted single donor platelets (LSDP), and leukodepleted red blood cells (LRBC) to determine performance analysis; precision (coefficients of variation), sample stability, and carry over of XN BB. Correlation and linearity was compared between XN BB and FCM.

In precision analysis, LRBC, LRDP, and LSDP showed good repeatability (P < 0.0001). Sample stability results revealed stability of LRDP and LRBC samples till 48 h, and LSDP sample was least stable as rWBC counts changed after 5 h. No carry over was observed in any blood component in the study. While comparing XN BB and FCM, a strong correlation was observed between the two, with P > 0.05. In addition, there was an excellent linearity between expected and observed WBC counts for LRBC and LSDP in BB mode (r2 = 0.88).

The analyzer performed very well with respect to precision, carry over, and stability. The new BB mode of the XN 10 hematology analyzer also showed highly comparable results with FCM, in terms of correlation and linearity, to determine rWBC.

The study concluded the use of BB mode as an alternative for flow cytometric analysis for the determination of rWBC in erythrocyte concentrates, platelet concentrate, and plasma.