Evaluation of reticulocyte number counted by Coulter HmX® compared to Coulter STKS® and manual methods

Abstract

Number of reticulocyte can indicate efficiency of bone marrow on erythropoiesis. It also aids in diagnosis and follow up anemic patients. In addition, it can be used for determination of new red blood cell production after bone marrow transplantation. In this study, we evaluated reticulocyte number counted by Coulter HmX®, Coulter STKS automate cell counters and manual method. One hundred and fifty - five samples were studied. The reticulocyte counts were found to be 1.71±1.69 % (0.6–2.8%), 1.99±1.77% (0.7–2.8%) and 1.73±1.68% (0.5–2.0%) for Coulter STKS, Coulter HmX® and manual method, respectively. The reticulocyte number enumerated by these three techniques was statistically comparable (p>0.05). The correlation coefficient (r) of reticulocyte count between Coulter STKS® and Coulter HmX® was 0.975, Coulter STKS® and manual method was 0.995 and Coulter HmX® and manual method was 0.985. It was concluded that all these methods can be used in any laboratories for the reticulocyte count. Bull Chiang Mai Assoc Med Sci 2009; 42: 18-24.

Keywords

• Reticulocyte
• Coulter HmX®
• Coulter STKS®
• manual method