Evaluation of Accuracy of Cell Count in Ascitic Fluid in Automated Cell Counter and Comparison with Manual Count

Abstract

Introduction: Correct cell enumeration and differential analysis of body fluids are important in the diagnosis and management of several diseases. Currently, microscopic analysis is still considered the "gold standard". The introduction of automated analysis has reduced interoperator variability, improved turnaround time and precision. The present study was designed to determine the shelf life and appropriate anticoagulant for automated cell counter and to compare manual and automated cell count in ascitic fluid. Methods: We examined total 250 ascitic fluid samples. Total and differential cell counting of each sample has been conducted with the Sysmex XT-4000i and the manual method (Neubauer chamber). Linearity, carryover, precision and correlation were also assessed. Results:The precision analysis of random sample with high cell count indicated that the Sysmex XT-4000i demonstrated good precision for RBC, WBC, MN#, PMN# at 0 and 6 hour in all vials resulted in CVs <0.012%. Carryover effect was negligible for both WBC and RBC count in ascitic fluid. It never exceeded 0.180%. Sysmex XT-4000i showed significant positive correlation for WBC count in plain vial (r=0.984, p<0.001s), EDTA vial (r= 0.998, p<0.001s), PT vial (r=0.958,