Multicentre evaluation of stable reference whole blood for enumeration of lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry.

BACKGROUND: Clinical indications for lymphocyte subset enumeration by flow cytometry include monitoring of disease progression and timing of therapeutic intervention in infection with human immunodeficiency virus. Until recently international standardisation has not been possible due to a lack of suitable stable reference material. METHODS: This study consisted of two trials of a stabilised whole blood preparation.

Long-term results of distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis in 90 patients.

Objective: To determine the indications for distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis and to evaluate the risks, functional loss, and outcome of the procedure.

Summary Background Data: Chronic pancreatitis is generally associated with continued pain, parenchymal and ductal hypertension. and progressive pancreatic dysfunction, and it is a cause of premature death in patients who receive conservative treatment.

Affordable CD4(+)-T-cell counting by flow cytometry: CD45 gating for volumetric analysis.

The flow cytometers that are currently supported by industry provide accurate CD4(+)-T-cell counts for monitoring human immunodeficiency virus disease but remain unaffordable for routine service work under resource-poor conditions. We therefore combined volumetric flow cytometry (measuring absolute lymphocyte counts in unit volumes of blood) and simpler protocols with generic monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to increase cost efficiency. Volumetric absolute counts were generated using CD45/CD4 and CD45/CD8 MAb combinations in two parallel tubes.