title: The preservation method and timing on accuracy of manual leukocytes counts in synovial fluid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of heparin and EDTA and determine the impact of time delays in stabilizing leukocyte counts in synovial fluid.
  
  
  METHODS
  33 specimens were collected in heparin-preserved and EDTA-preserved containers. Total cell count was performed manually at 1 hour and 24 hours. Correlation between cell counts from both preservatives and the leukocyte number at 1 hour and 24 hours were analyzed by means of agreement measurement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were good correlations between the leukocyte numbers from the specimens preserved by heparin and EDTA (ICC = 0.889, r = 0.879, P < 0.0001 at 1 hour and ICC = 0.822, r = 0.693, p < 0.0001 at 24 hour). At 24 hours, total cell counts from EDTA-preserved samples were comparable to those obtained at 1 hour (ICC = 0.985, r = 0. 986, p < 0. 0001) and were not different from those of the heparinized samples (ICC = 0.833, r = 0. 751, p < 0.0001) but the ICC value was higher.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EDTA was as effective as heparin for preservation of synovial fluid. Therefore, it can be used routinely as a preservative of synovial fluid.
authors: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. srakv@mahidol.ac.th
authors: Ajchara
authors: A
authors: Koolvisoot
authors: Umpaiwan
authors: U
authors: Rungbanaphan
authors: Wanrachada
authors: W
authors: Katchamat
authors: Wimol
authors: W
authors: Chinsawangwatanakul
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004492:Edetic Acid; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin; D004492:Edetic Acid