Complete blood counts (CBC) including white blood cell count (WBC) differentials and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been frequently utilized as the biomarkers for inflammatory diseases such as bacterial infection.

An automated hematology analyzer has been developed which can simultaneously measure CBC including three-part WBC differential (3-Diff) and CRP using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dipotassium salt dihydrate (EDTA-2K) anticoagulated whole blood without centrifugation for serum preparation.

Scientists at HORIBA Medical (Kyoto, Japan) used the company’s automated hematology analyzer, The Microsemi CRP, which is equipped with the electrical resistance method for CBC with 3-Diff of granulocytes (GRA) including neutrophils eosinophils and basophils, lymphocytes (LYM), and monocytes (MON). CRP is measured with the latex immune turbidimetry method following the prompt hemolyzation of EDTA-2K anticoagulated whole blood. The obtained value is then converted into plasma concentration according to hematocrit (HCT %) of respective sample to finally provide as ‘whole blood CRP.’

Correlation tests for the Microsemi CRP were compared with those of Micros CRP200, a preceding Horiba Medical model, and also those of the ADVIA 2120i (Siemens; Munich, Germany) routine hematology analyzer. The results of fresh whole blood and serum CRP obtained using Micros CRP200 were compared with those of serum CRP obtained using HITACHI 7600 routine analyzer (Tokyo, Japan).

The CBC data examined using Microsemi CRP showed excellent correlation with the previous model, Micros CRP200and also those obtained using the routine analyzer, ADVIA 2120i. In regards to the 3-Diff, both GRA (%) and LYM (%) showed the excellent correlation coefficient between Microsemi CRP and Micros CRP200 as well as ADVIA 2120i. (MON (%) showed good correlation between Microsemi CRP and Micros CRP200, but lower correlation between Microsemi CRP and ADVIA 2120. CRP data showed the good correlation with HITACHI 7600 and Micros CRP200.

The authors concluded that Microsemi CRP was a convenient laboratory analyzer which could provide the clinically reliable data about CBC including 3-Diff and CRP using only 18 μL whole blood within approximately four minutes. Therefore, Microsemi CRP seemed suitable in the setting of point of care testing (POCT) for the patients with inflammatory diseases such as bacterial infection, especially for pediatric ones in whom sufficient volume of samples necessary to simultaneous measurement of CBC including WBC Diff and CRP using the routine analyzers. The study was first published online on December 11, 2014, in the International Journal of Laboratory Hematology.

Related Links:
HORIBA Medical
Siemens
HITACHI