[Short evaluation of the QBC-Vet Autoread System]

The QBC-Vet Autoread-System (QBC = Quantitative Buffy Coat) is an advanced version of the OBC-Vet Haematology-System, to which an automatic reader and a printer have been added. In addition to the determination of haematocrit, haemoglobin, MCHC, white blood cell, granulocyte, lympho-/monocyte and platelet counts, measurement of eosinophils and neutrophils in dogs, and the estimation of reticulocytes and nucleated red blood cells in both dogs and cats are possible. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QBC-Vet Autoread-System with respect to its suitability in veterinary practice. Samples collected from 213 mostly ill animals were analysed and the results compared with conventionally measured values. The system was found to be easy both in handling and interpretation of results. Accuracy was found to be good for the majority of the parameters (correlation coefficients: haematocrit r > 0.96, WBC r > 0.89). The printed buffy coat profile was found to be very useful to verify accuracy of results immediately and to prevent misinterpretations. Although this is a preliminary study with a small number of samples, the QBC-Vet Autoread-System was found to be a true improvement over the older system and will be very useful in veterinary practices.