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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Isolation and Activation of Murine Lymphocytes
Published on: October 30, 2016
Influence of Pre-Analytic Conditions on Quantity of Lymphocytes
Undine Proschmann1, Puya Shalchi Amirkhiz1, Pauline Andres1
1Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, University of Technology, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
Insights
Pre-analytic conditions significantly impact immune cell counts, particularly storage temperature. Careful consideration of these factors is crucial for accurate interpretation of laboratory results in clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Clinical Laboratory Science
Background:
- Lymphocytes are central to multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis.
- Immunomodulatory therapies targeting lymphocytes are vital for MS treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how pre-analytic variables affect immune cell counts.
- To determine the clinical relevance of these pre-analytic effects on immune cell analysis.
Main Methods:
- Blood samples from 20 healthy donors were analyzed.
- Evaluated effects of storage temperature, duration, tourniquet application, body position, and aspiration force.
- Immune cell frequencies were quantified using multicolor flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Storage at 37 °C for 24 hours significantly reduced immune cell counts.
- Tourniquet duration, body position, and aspiration force showed no significant impact.
- Storage temperature emerged as a critical pre-analytic factor influencing cell counts.
Conclusions:
- Pre-analytic conditions, especially storage temperature, demonstrably alter immune cell counts.
- Laboratory values for immune cell subpopulations require careful interpretation considering pre-analytic variables.
- Standardizing pre-analytic procedures is essential for reliable diagnostic and research outcomes.
Abstract:
Lymphocytes are key players in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and a distinct target of several immunomodulatory treatment strategies. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effect of various pre-analytic conditions on immune cell counts to conclude the relevance for clinical implications. Twenty healthy donors were assessed for the effects of distinct storage temperatures and times after blood draws, different durations of tourniquet application, body positions and varying aspiration forces during blood draws. Immune cell frequencies were analyzed using multicolor flowcytometry. While storage for 24 h at 37 °C after blood draws was associated with significantly lower cell counts, different durations of tourniquet application, body positions and varying aspirations speeds did not have significant impacts on the immune cell counts. Our data suggest that immune cell counts are differently affected by pre-analytic conditions being more sensitive to storage temperature. Pre-analytic conditions should be carefully considered when interpreting the laboratory values of immune cell subpopulations.
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