A method for quantification of peripheral blood admixture in bone marrow aspirates

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Bone marrow aspirates are crucial for diagnosing hematologic diseases.
• Contamination with peripheral blood can significantly alter cellular composition and analysis results.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the extent of peripheral blood admixture in bone marrow aspirates.
• To establish a method for estimating peripheral nucleated cell fraction (Fpb) in bone marrow samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 51Cr labeled autologous erythrocytes and 125I-labeled albumin to trace peripheral blood components.
• Measured hemoglobin content in bone marrow aspirates to calculate the fraction of peripheral blood.

Main Results:

• Bone marrow aspirates showed a high percentage (97.0 +/- 4.2%) of hemoglobin derived from peripheral blood.
• The fraction of peripheral nucleated cells (Fpb) varied widely (6-93%) in patients, with a mean of 14 +/- 8% in healthy volunteers.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral blood contamination is a significant factor in bone marrow aspirates.
• Accurate quantitative bone marrow studies necessitate accounting for the fraction of peripheral nucleated cells.