Changes in automated complete blood cell count and differential leukocyte count results induced by storage of blood at room temperature.
OBJECTIVE
To delineate changes that occur in various parameters of automated complete blood cell count (CBC) and differential leukocyte count (differential) on prolonged storage of blood at room temperature.


METHODS
A CBC and an automated differential were performed on the Coulter Gen.S on 40 K(3) (tripotassium ethylenediamine-tetraacetate) EDTA-anticoagulated blood specimens once daily, specimen volume permitting, for 3 to 7 days. Specimens were kept at room temperature throughout the study. The results were tabulated using a personal computer with Excel software. Percent change or absolute difference from the initial value for each parameter for each subsequent day of the study period was calculated.


RESULTS
Among the CBC parameters, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin were stable for the duration of the study (7 days), white blood cell count was stable for at least 3 days (up to 7 days, if the count was within or above the normal range), and platelet count was stable for at least 4 days (up to 7 days, if the count was within or above the normal range). The mean corpuscular volume, mean platelet volume, hematocrit, and red blood cell distribution width each increased, and the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration decreased from day 2 onward. Among the differential parameters, the relative percentages and absolute numbers of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils tended to increase, whereas those of monocytes trended downward over time. Limited data on basophils did not reveal an appreciable change.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood specimens stored at room temperature for more than 1 day (up to 3 days or possibly longer) were found to be acceptable with some limitations for CBC but not for the differential.
Gulati
Gene L
GL
Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. gene.gulati@mail.tju.edu
Hyland
Lawrence J
LJ
Kocher
William
W
Schwarting
Rolland
R
D016477:Artifacts; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D013997:Time Factors