[A comparative evaluation of the differential count of peripheral blood leukocytes using the Cell-Dyn 3500 and...

Two blood analyzers, Cell-Dyn 3500 (Abbott) and NE-7000 (Sysmex) are compared as regards their use in clinics of a general profile. Both devices can differentiate the leukocytic formula by 5 parameters (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils) and possess a system of alarm signals indicating changes in the leukocytic formula. A total of 165 peripheral blood samples stabilized with K3-EDTA were examined. Visual assessment of stained preparations, 200 cells per smear, was the reference method. Both devices yielded similar results of leukocyte counting, were in good correlation with the visual method in assessment of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. Both devices proved to be inaccurate in counting monocytes, which was due to a great variety of morphologic forms of these cells. In addition, the number of false-positive and false-negative results was assessed. No abnormalities were detected in the 20 samples which were assessed as "negative" by the analyzers. Study of the peripheral blood by automated blood analyzers Cell-Dyn 3500 and NE-7000 helps detect a pathological leukocytic formula in 100% cases, although the type of shifts is not always precisely assessed by these devices. Therefore, morphological control is needed in case of alarm signals.