Instrument- and protocol-dependent variation in the enumeration of CD34+ cells by flow cytometry.

Background: The information regarding the minimum number of CD34+ cells that are necessary to reconstitute hematopoiesis in patients undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation is quite controversial. Some of the differences in these figures might be due to the selection of antibodies, staining protocols, and acquisition strategies for the flow cytometric enumeration of these cells.

Study Design And Methods: Twenty-seven human umbilical cord blood samples and 33 leukapheresis products were consecutively collected for this study.