Comparison of Venous and Capillary Differential Leukocyte Counts Using a Standard Hematology Analyzer and a Novel Microfluidic Impedance Cytometer

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2012 Oct 3

PMID 23028467

Citations 13

Authors

Veronica S Hollis

Judith A Holloway

Scott Harris

Daniel Spencer

Cees van Berkel

Hywel Morgan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Capillary blood sampling has been identified as a potentially suitable technique for use in diagnostic testing of the full blood count (FBC) at the point-of-care (POC), for which a recent need has been highlighted. In this study we assess the accuracy of capillary blood counts and evaluate the potential of a miniaturized cytometer developed for POC testing. Differential leukocyte counts in the normal clinical range from fingerprick (capillary) and venous blood samples were measured and compared using a standard hematology analyzer. The accuracy of our novel microfluidic impedance cytometer (MIC) was then tested by comparing same-site measurements to those obtained with the standard analyzer. The concordance between measurements of fingerprick and venous blood samples using the standard hematology analyzer was high, with no clinically relevant differences observed between the mean differential leukocyte counts. Concordance data between the MIC and the standard analyzer on same-site measurements presented significantly lower leukocyte counts determined by the MIC. This systematic undercount was consistent across the measured (normal) concentration range, suggesting that an internal correction factor could be applied. Differential leukocyte counts obtained from fingerprick samples accurately reflect those from venous blood, which confirms the potential of capillary blood sampling for POC testing of the FBC. Furthermore, the MIC device demonstrated here presents a realistic technology for the future development of FBC and related tests for use at the site of patient care.

Citing Articles

Comparison between point-of-care testing from capillary samples and conventional laboratory testing from venous samples for white blood cells and C-reactive protein in a pediatric outpatient setting.

Kuniyoshi Y, Kimoto T, Tokutake H, Takahashi N, Kamura A, Tashiro M J Gen Fam Med. 2025; 26(1):79-84.

PMID: 39776886 PMC: 11702500. DOI: 10.1002/jgf2.741.

The European Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Neutropenia in Adults and Children: A Consensus Between the European Hematology Association and the EuNet-INNOCHRON COST Action.

Fioredda F, Skokowa J, Tamary H, Spanoudakis M, Farruggia P, Almeida A Hemasphere. 2023; 7(4):e872.

PMID: 37008163 PMC: 10065839. DOI: 10.1097/HS9.0000000000000872.

Horiba Micros ES 60 Blood Cell Analyzer in Blood Donor Eligibility: A Validation Study.

Tillati S, Pati I, Delle Donne M, Meneghel A, Londero D, De Angelis V Diagnostics (Basel). 2022; 12(11).

PMID: 36359430 PMC: 9689173. DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112586.

Magnitude of venous or capillary blood-derived SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response determines COVID-19 immunity.

Scurr M, Lippiatt G, Capitani L, Bentley K, Lauder S, Smart K Nat Commun. 2022; 13(1):5422.

PMID: 36130936 PMC: 9492763. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32985-8.

Usability Evaluation of a Noninvasive Neutropenia Screening Device (PointCheck) for Patients Undergoing Cancer Chemotherapy: Mixed Methods Observational Study.

Lamaj G, Pablo-Trinidad A, Butterworth I, Bell N, Benasutti R, Bourquard A J Med Internet Res. 2022; 24(8):e37368.

PMID: 35943786 PMC: 9621111. DOI: 10.2196/37368.

References

van Berkel C, Gwyer J, Deane S, Green N, Green N, Holloway J . Integrated systems for rapid point of care (PoC) blood cell analysis. Lab Chip. 2011; 11(7):1249-55. DOI: 10.1039/c0lc00587h. View

Yang Z, Yang S, Chen L, Qu J, Zhu J, Tang Z . Comparison of blood counts in venous, fingertip and arterial blood and their measurement variation. Clin Lab Haematol. 2001; 23(3):155-9. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2257.2001.00388.x. View

Zandecki M, Genevieve F, Gerard J, Godon A . Spurious counts and spurious results on haematology analysers: a review. Part II: white blood cells, red blood cells, haemoglobin, red cell indices and reticulocytes. Int J Lab Hematol. 2007; 29(1):21-41. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2257.2006.00871.x. View

Pierelli L, Zennaro F, Patti D, Miceli M, Iudicone P, Mannella E . Evaluation of the analytical performances of a portable, 18-parameter hemometric system using capillary blood samples for blood donor enrolment. Vox Sang. 2009; 98(2):145-50. DOI: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2009.01256.x. View

Briggs C, Carter J, Lee S, Sandhaus L, Simon-Lopez R, Corrons J . ICSH Guideline for worldwide point-of-care testing in haematology with special reference to the complete blood count. Int J Lab Hematol. 2008; 30(2):105-16. DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-553X.2008.01050.x. View

Daae L, Halvorsen S, Mathisen P, Mironska K . A comparison between haematological parameters in 'capillary' and venous blood from healthy adults. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1988; 48(7):723-6. DOI: 10.1080/00365518809085796. View

. Medicare, Medicaid and CLIA programs; regulations implementing the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA)--HCFA. Final rule with comment period. Fed Regist. 1992; 57(40):7002-186. View

Briggs C, Guthrie D, Hyde K, Mackie I, Parker N, Popek M . Guidelines for point-of-care testing: haematology. Br J Haematol. 2008; 142(6):904-15. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07274.x. View

Han X, van Berkel C, Gwyer J, Capretto L, Morgan H . Microfluidic lysis of human blood for leukocyte analysis using single cell impedance cytometry. Anal Chem. 2011; 84(2):1070-5. DOI: 10.1021/ac202700x. View

10.

Rao L, Ekberg B, Connor D, Jakubiak F, Vallaro G, Snyder M . Evaluation of a new point of care automated complete blood count (CBC) analyzer in various clinical settings. Clin Chim Acta. 2008; 389(1-2):120-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2007.12.006. View

11.

Schalk E, Heim M, Koenigsmann M, Jentsch-Ullrich K . Use of capillary blood count parameters in adults. Vox Sang. 2007; 93(4):348-53. DOI: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.2007.00978.x. View

12.

Ozbek N, Gurakan B, Kayiran S . Complete blood cell counts in capillary and venous blood of healthy term newborns. Acta Haematol. 2000; 103(4):226-8. DOI: 10.1159/000041056. View

13.

Bland J, Altman D . Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet. 1986; 1(8476):307-10. View

14.

Holmes D, She J, Roach P, Morgan H . Bead-based immunoassays using a micro-chip flow cytometer. Lab Chip. 2007; 7(8):1048-56. DOI: 10.1039/b707507n. View

15.

Holmes D, Pettigrew D, Reccius C, Gwyer J, van Berkel C, Holloway J . Leukocyte analysis and differentiation using high speed microfluidic single cell impedance cytometry. Lab Chip. 2009; 9(20):2881-9. DOI: 10.1039/b910053a. View

16.

MacLennan C, van Oosterhout J, White S, Drayson M, Zijlstra E, Molyneux M . Finger-prick blood samples can be used interchangeably with venous samples for CD4 cell counting indicating their potential for use in CD4 rapid tests. AIDS. 2007; 21(12):1643-5. PMC: 2408852. DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32823bcb03. View

17.

Jani I, Sitoe N, Chongo P, Alfai E, Quevedo J, Tobaiwa O . Accurate CD4 T-cell enumeration and antiretroviral drug toxicity monitoring in primary healthcare clinics using point-of-care testing. AIDS. 2011; 25(6):807-12. DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e328344f424. View