title: Accurate assessment of cell count and viability with a flow cytometer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we developed a method to measure cell concentration and viability in specimens received in flow cytometry and cytogenetics laboratories.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specimens are stained with a vital fluorescent dye, SYTO13, the cell impermeant viability dye, 7-AAD, and a leukocyte marker, CD45. After the addition of an internal calibrator microsphere, FLOW-COUNT, the flow cytometer is capable of measuring the viability of nucleated cells, giving a general assessment of leukocyte populations and measuring their concentration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An accurate assessment of specimen quality is an important parameter when performing flow cytometric and cytogenetic leukemia/lymphoma assessment. High quality specimen is desired to avoid the pitfalls of non-specific staining and limited cellularity/viability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a cell count and viability measurement prior to leukemia and lymphoma assessment by flow cytometry and cytogenetics helps to increase the rate of successful immunophenotypic and cytogenetic analysis.
authors.affiliation: AmeriPath Inc., Orlando, FL, USA. mshenkin@ameripath.com
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shenkin
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Babu
authors.forename: Russell
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maiese
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D003582:Cytogenetics / Q000379:methods; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007938:Leukemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens