Side scatter ratio of the CD105-positive and CD105-negative red blood cell fractions is useful for the detection of low-grade myelodysplastic neoplasms by flow cytometry.

Objectives: We assessed the utility of red blood cell (RBC) CD105 and side scatter (SSC) parameters by flow cytometry for the detection of low-grade myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) in bone marrow specimens.

Methods: Ten RBC parameters incorporating CD105 or SSC combined with the Meyerson-Alayed scoring system (MASS) metrics were retrospectively evaluated by flow cytometry for utility in detecting low-grade MDS (n = 56) compared with cytopenic controls (n = 86).

Results: Myelodysplastic neoplasms were associated with 7 of the RBC parameters in univariate analysis.