The Use of Multicolor Flow Cytofluorometry in White Blood Cell Differential: HematoFlow Conception

Aim. To develop reference intervals for white blood cell subpopulations in peripheral blood using Cytomics FC500 flow cytometer and CytoDiffTM reagent (Beckman Coulter). Materials & Methods. The trial included the analysis of blood samples of healthy donors (n = 315) using Cytomics FC500 flow cytometer and CytoDiffTM reagent cocktail composed of 6 antibodies in 5 colors (CD36-FITC, CD2-PE, CD294-PE, CD19-ECD, CD16-Cy5, CD45-Cy7) and enabling to count 17 cell populations. Results. The data obtained by means of multicolor flow cytofluorometry included the reference values of white blood cell populations in peripheral blood. In 1 first-time donor a lymphoproliferative disease was detected. It was subsequently confirmed by immunophenotyping; B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia was diagnosed. Conclusion. Multicolor flow cytofluorometry using CytoDiffTM is considered to be a new step toward an improved WBC differential evaluation aimed mainly at reducing the volume of blood smear analysis using light microscopy at large laboratories, enhancing objectivity, precision and reproducibility of results. WBC differential extended with the count of lymphocyte and monocyte subpopulations can be regarded as modern donor blood screening to detect changes in the pattern of lymphocyte subpopulations as grounds for further examination of donors