title: Automated flow cytometry compared with an automated dipstick reader for urinalysis.
abstract: Recently, the Sysmex UF-100 flow cytometer was developed to automate urinalysis. We compared UF-100 test results with those of an automated dipstick reader. A cross-check of UF-100, dipstick, and microscopic sediment data was performed in 1001 urine samples. Good agreements (P <0.001) were obtained between UF-100 and dipstick data for erythrocytes (r = 0.636) and leukocytes (r = 0.785). Even in urine with low conductivity, the UF-100 could detect lysed erythrocytes. The UF-100 bacterial count was higher among nitrite-positive urine samples (P <0.0001) and was positively correlated with the UF-100 leukocyte count (r = 0.745; P <0.001). In stored urine (24 h), bacterial counts increased, whereas the forward light scatter of leukocytes decreased (P <0.01). Casts and yeast cells reported by the UF-100 should be confirmed by microscopic review because false positives occurred. We suggest that a computer-assisted cross-check of UF-100 and dipstick data allows a clinically acceptable sieving system to reduce the workload of microscopic sediment urinalysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Langlois
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Delanghe
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Steyaert
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Everaert
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: De Buyzere
mesh_terms: D001322:Autoanalysis; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000379:methods*; D014556:Urine / Q000166:cytology / Q000382:microbiology