Mindray Analyzers Help Detect Hematological Parameters to Support COVID-19 Diagnosis and Prognosis

Mindray (Shenzhen, China) hematology analyzers are using advanced technologies to detect inflammatory parameters, such as white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and red blood cells (RBC) that can support COVID-19 diagnosis and prognosis.

Identifying COVID-19 patients at highest risk for severe disease is important. In order to facilitate early intervention and to manage local hospital resources to mitigate the critical care crises, research is being conducted in routine, low-cost, and suggestive parameters to assist with COVID-19 prognosis and the identification of severe cases. Studies comparing hematological results from good and poor outcome groups of COVID-19 patients have revealed that the best single parameter for predicting the prognosis of severe patients is RDW-SD. Additionally, combined parameters Lym# & RDW-CV as well as Lym# & RDW-SD are better for predicting the prognosis of severe COVID-19. Researchers have also found that HGB is lower in the severe group than in the moderate group. New joint parameters Lym% and HGB have the best sensitivity and specificity. Hence, Lym% and HGB can be used as indicators of disease prognosis.

With advanced technologies, the newly combined hematological parameters, such as Lym% & RDW-SD, Lym# & HGB and NLR & RDW-SD, have been found as supportive predictors during COVID-19 prognostics. More and more covariates can be studied and developed on the Mindray BC-6000 series analyzers. Especially on BC-6800Plus, the RET channel can detect the number, size, and hemoglobin concentration of RBCs and RETs highly sensitive laser scattering technology. Thus, it is recommended to start using self-defined parameters for COVID-19 prognosis now.