Pseudo-NRBC in the Mindray BC-6800Plus analyzer: A clue for diagnostic anticipation of fungemia. Experimental and preliminary clinical reports.

Introduction: Candidemia can be a significant cause of death in immunosuppressed or debilitated patients particularly. Abnormalities of the instrumental cytograms of some hematological analyzers, such as Mindray BC-6800Plus, can be related to circulating Candida. We studied the possible diagnostic usefulness of this information.

COVID-19: Black Swan or clumsy use?

"Black Swan" is an unexpected and catastrophic event characterized by three conditions: the anomalous and exceptional value, the extreme impact, and predictability a posteriori. On many sides - by politicians, commentators, scientists - there have been attempts to give the COVID-19 pandemic event the meaning of Black Swan. In reality, one should wonder if the Black Swan was not, instead (or even), the way the epidemic was handled.

Mindray BC-6800 haematological analyser: 3D-DIFF scattergram usefulness in infectious mononucleosis diagnosis.

Introduction: 3D-DIFF scattergram of the Mindray BC-6800 haematological analyser shows morphological abnormalities and lymphocyte cluster splitting related to the presence of reactive lymphocytes. This study aims to assess whether these cytographic changes are useful in detecting both activated and apoptotic lymphocytes, leading to an improvement in the laboratory diagnostic process of infectious mononucleosis.

Methods: Two hundred three samples with modified shape and doubled lymphocyte cluster of DIFF scattergram (study group) were divided into two different subgroups: with and, respectively, without serological evidence of ongoing IM.

Short preheating at 41°C leads to a red blood cells count comparable to that in RET channel of Sysmex analysers in samples showing cold agglutination.

Aims: The presence of cold agglutinin in blood samples can cause a spontaneous agglutination of red blood cells (RBCs) when low temperature occurs. This phenomenon causes a spurious lowering of RBC count on the automated haematological analysers that are detected by incongruous values (≥370 g/L) of the mean cellular haemoglobi concentration (MCHC). A preheating at 37°C can remove the RBC agglutination generally resulting in a reliable count.

Automatic wedge smears preparation may cause traumatic morphological changes in peripheral blood cells.

In recent years, several automated analysers that prepare and stain blood smears have been introduced in clinical laboratories. Despite the use of instrumental settings based on physical characteristic of individual samples, traumatic injuries of neutrophil and lymphocytes can be observed. Some samples present a very high percentage of damaged cells, allowing the speculation that a cellular susceptibility may enhance mechanical traumatism.

A prolonged microscopic observation improves detection of underpopulated cells in peripheral blood smears.

We evaluated an extended time in the microscopic review in samples in which the potential clinical information could be increased with respect to those that could be achieved with the usual laboratory methodologies. We used samples containing nucleated red blood cells in a small amount and cytopenic samples. For these purposes for each peripheral blood smear, the timing of eye-count differential was increased up to 20 min, regardless of the final number of cells which could be counted.

Cytographic changes on BC-6800 Haematological Analyzer related to the presence of in peripheral blood. A new tool to suspect candidemia?

Background: We studied the quantitative and cytographic changes that the presence of () in peripheral blood (PB) samples causes on the Mindray BC-6800 Haematological Analyzer.

Methods: A simulated in vitro candidemia was obtained by adding a different amount of to discarded remnants of PB samples. Quantitative data and cytographic features were evaluated immediately as well as after 120 and 240 min of the yeast addition.

Evaluation of Mindray BC-6800 body fluid mode for automated cerebrospinal fluid cell counting.

Background: Cellular analysis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides important diagnostic information in various medical conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of Mindray BC-6800 body fluid (BF) mode in cytometric analysis of CSF compared to light microscopy (LM).

Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine consecutive CSF samples were analyzed by BC-6800-BF mode as well as by LM.

Comparison of international normalized ratio measurement between CoaguChek XS Plus and STA-R coagulation analyzers.

Background: Point-of-care testing (POCT) coagulometers are increasingly being used in the hospital setting. We investigated whether the prothrombin time international normalized ratio (INR) results by CoaguChek XS Plus (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) can be used reliably without being confirmed with the INR results by STA-R system (Diagnostica Stago S.A.

Evaluation of bilirubin concentration in hemolysed samples, is it really impossible? The altitude-curve cartography approach to interfered assays.

Background: Neonatal jaundice might lead to severe clinical consequences. Measurement of bilirubin in samples is interfered by hemolysis. Over a method-depending cut-off value of measured hemolysis, bilirubin value is not accepted and a new sample is required for evaluation although this is not always possible, especially with newborns and cachectic oncological patients.