New fluorescent method (PLT-F) on sysmex XN2000 hematology analyzer achieved higher accuracy in low platelet counting

Abstract

Objectives: In thrombocytopenia, high accuracy and precision of low platelet count is essential for appropriate decisions. The recently introduced Sysmex XN2000 analyzer (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) offers 3 methods for platelet counting: impedance (PLT-I), optical (PLT-O), and a new fluorescence method (PLT-F). The precision of the PLT-F method in blood samples with platelet counts less than 50 ×103/μL (50 × 109/L) was investigated and compared with the ICSH CD61- ImmunoPLT reference method. For comparison, PLT-I and PLT-O were determined on the Sysmex XN2000 and Sysmex XE2100 analyzer. Methods: Blood samples with platelet counts less than 50 ×103/μL (50 × 109/L) (n = 37) were analyzed on the Sysmex XN2000 and XE2100 analyzers. The CD61-ImmunoPLT method was performed on a Beckman Coulter FC-500 flow cytometer (Miami, FL). Results: At a platelet count of 20 ×103/μL (20 × 109/L), reproducibility for PLT-I, PLT-O, and PLT-F on the XN2000 demonstrated coefficients of variation of 9.3%, 8.5%, and 3.0%, respectively. Correlation between PLT-O on the XN2000 and XE2100 yielded an r value of more than 0.977. Linear regression analysis between the PLT-F and CD61- ImmunoPLT methods resulted in a PLT-F of 0.71*CD61 - 0.8 (r = 0.988). Linear regression between PLT-F and PLT-O on the XN2000 resulted in a PLT-F of 1.05 PLT-O - 2 (r = 0.975), and using the transfusion threshold of 20 × 109/L platelets resulted in a PLT-F of 0.90*PLT-O - 0.4 (r = 0.956). Conclusions: The new PLT-F method demonstrated excellent results for reproducibility in samples with platelet counts less than 50 × 109/L. PLT-F could be helpful in making better decisions for platelet transfusions. © American Society for Clinical Pathology.