Clinical Applications of Leukocyte Morphological Parameters

Abstract

Leukocyte morphological parameters, also known as cell population data (CPD), are measured by Coulter automated hematology analyzers with VCS technology. In recent years, clinical applications of CPD have been extensively investigated. The studies have demonstrated that diagnostic utility of neutrophil CPD in acute bacterial infection, particularly their roles in differentiating post-surgical bacterial infection versus systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Lymphocyte CPD show also specific changes in viral infection, providing a potential new hematological parameter for viral infection. The clinical application of these leukocyte morphologic parameters offers many advantages. These parameters are generated during automated differential analysis without additional specimen requirements. They are quantitative, more objective and more accurate than manual differential counts since over 8000 leukocytes are simultaneously evaluated. This so- called VCS technology is analogous to microscopic evaluation of a peripheral blood smear, but uses the most modern technology to refine the output for increased accuracy. These CPDs have potential