instruments must have regulatory approval for clinical as opposed to research use.


Other considerations include: • Range of tests • Time per analysis • Automation • Reagent supply • Sample size and microsampling • Accuracy, precision, and linearity • Maintenance, calibration, and QC • Results analysis and storage • Footprint.


Range of tests Every hematology analyzer returns a CBC and


a three- or five-part WBC differential. However, even the simplest analyzer will return mul- tiple parameters. The most basic analyzer from Sysmex, the XP-300™, returns 17 parameters: WBC; RBC; HGB; HCT; MCV; MCH; MCHC; PLT; NEUT #,%; LYM #,%; MXD #,%; RDW-SD; RDW- CV; and MPV.


By contrast, the Pentra DX Nexus SPS evolution from Horiba (www.horiba.com) measures 50 parameters: WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, MPV, *PCT, *PDW %, NEU, LYM, MON, EOS, BAS, *ALY, *LIC, *IMM, *IML, *IMG: (% and #), RET (% and #), RETH %, RETM %, RETL %, *IMR %, CRC%, IRF, MRV, *RHCc, MFI, NRBC % NRBC#, *CWBC, *WBC#, *RBC#, *PolyNuc#, and *MonoNuc# (* parameters for research use only).


Consider whether there is a choice of tests to run, or whether every parameter is measured for every sample. Check the cost per run since extensive test menus will incur higher reagent costs.


Time per analysis Time per analysis depends on the parameters


being measured. The rate limiting step is the reaction time for reagents. A simple CBC can typically be returned in 1 min. More sophisti- cated analyses can take up to 10 min.


Abbott’s CELL-DYN Sapphire provides a reportable CD61 immunoplatelet count in


AMERICAN LABORATORY • 27 • JUNE/JULY 2014


Figure 1 – The automated Coulter LH 780 from Beckman Coulter identifies and enumerates NRBCs without manual intervention. Image courtesy of Beckman Coulter, Inc.


approximately 5 min, and CD3/4 and CD3/8 immuno T-cell count in approximately 7 min.


Automation High-throughput labs require automation of their hematology workflow and the capability


to integrate with other systems. Factors to con- sider are throughput, autoloader capacity, and whether vials and racks are compatible with other lab equipment.


The Sysmex XE-5000 reports 31 whole blood parameters at a rate of 150 samples/hr.


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