Performance of an Automated Blood Cell Analyzer with Special Reference to Suspect Flags

Performance of the flag system of an automated blood cell analyzer, Coulter STKS, was evaluated. The suspect flags were insufficient for the correct detection of specific abnormalities. The presence of blasts was correctly signaled in most samples (84/86) only if they comprised 20% or more of white blood cells, for example. However, the segregation of blood samples with any important abnormalities (e.g. blasts ≧1%, nucleated red cells ≧1/200WBC, or neutrophils younger than band ≧5%) was possible by adoption of all suspect and definitive flags because abnormal findings in complete blood counts of a sample are mutually interdependent. Atypical lymphocytes and neutrophilic bands were more difficult to detect automatically.　　　The present data implies that the present-day strategy to reduce microscopic observation by screening all blood samples with automated white blood cell differential count on the specific purpose of blood cell analysis is highly desirable in selected cases, especially with regards to atypical or abnormal lymphocytes and monocytes.

Complete blood counts (CBC)

automated blood cell analyzer

flow cytometry

suspect flag

definitive flag