Method comparison of four clinically available assays for serum free light chain analysis.

Background Serum free light chain (sFLC) measurements are increasingly important in the context of screening for monoclonal gammopathies, prognostic stratification and monitoring of therapy responses. In this study we have performed a method comparison of four sFLC assays that are currently available for routine clinical use. Methods In a retrospective study, sFLC analyses were performed on a cohort that included 139 patients with various monoclonal gammopathies and 54 control sera without an M-protein.

Evaluation of Sysmex XN-1000 High-Sensitive Analysis (hsA) Research Mode for Counting and Differentiating Cells in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Objectives: Counting cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using automated analyzers is generally problematic due to low precision at low cell numbers. To overcome this limitation, Sysmex (Kobe, Japan) developed the high-sensitive analysis (hsA) research mode specifically for counting cells in fluids that contain low cell counts. We evaluated this mode by counting RBCs, WBCs, and differentiated WBCs in CSF samples.

Clinical relevance and contemporary methods for counting blood cells in body fluids suspected of inflammatory disease.

In many inflammatory diseases, the cellular components in body fluids [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serous fluids] are increased, rendering essential diagnostic information. The diagnostic value of the total white blood cell count (WBC) and differential count has been evaluated extensively over the years, and a remarkable amount of knowledge has been gained; yet, there is a great deal of clinical uncertainty whether the diagnosis should be based solely on these variables. In some diseases, such as peritonitis, the total WBC and differential count has high sensitivity; whereas, in differentiating pleural effusions, it lacks the sensitivity required to be clinically useful.

UF-1000i: validation of the body fluid mode for counting cells in body fluids.

Background: We evaluated the new body fluid mode on the UF-1000i urinalysis analyzer for counting total white blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC) in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), ascites and pleural fluids.

Methods: We collected 154 body fluid samples, and compared the results of the UF-1000i BF mode with the Fuchs-Rosenthal counting chamber and the XN-1000 BF mode. Linearity, carry over and precision were also assessed.

Validation of the body fluid module on the new Sysmex XN-1000 for counting blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid and other body fluids.

Background: We evaluated the body fluid (BF) module on the new Sysmex XN-1000 for counting blood cells.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-seven BF samples [73 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), 48 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), 46 ascites, and 20 pleural fluid] were used for method comparison between the XN-1000 and manual microscopy (Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber and stained cytospin slides) for counting red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs) (differential).

Results: Good agreement was found for counting WBCs (y=1.

Evaluation of the new body fluid mode on the Sysmex XE-5000 for counting leukocytes and erythrocytes in cerebrospinal fluid and other body fluids.

Background: We evaluated the body fluid (BF) mode on the new Sysmex XE-5000 analyzer.

Methods: Red (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) (differential) counts of BFs (139 patient samples and 87 normal samples) were measured and compared to the Fuchs-Rosenthal chamber and stained cytospin slides.

Results: Extended cell counting using the BF mode was noted to have an improved WBC detection limit (CV(20)%) of 10 x 10(6)/L.

Transcriptional expression levels of chicken collectins are affected by avian influenza A virus inoculation.

Mammalian collectins have been found to play an important role in the defense against influenza A virus H9N2 inoculation, but for chicken collectins this has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of avian influenza A virus (AIV) inoculation on collectin gene expression in the respiratory tract of chickens and whether this was affected by age. For this purpose 1- and 4-week-old chickens were inoculated intratracheally with PBS or H9N2 AIV.