Is flow cytometry better in counting malaria pigment-containing leukocytes compared to microscopy?
BACKGROUND
Detection of malaria pigment (or haemozoin; Hz)-containing leukocytes may have prognostic relevance in malaria; however, studies reported conflicting results, with microscopic counts suggestive of being inaccurate and imprecise.


METHODS
Numbers of Hz-containing leukocytes from a malaria patient obtained with a flow cytometer counting 50.000 gated events were compared with thin film microscopy as applied under field conditions.


RESULTS
Flow cytometry identified 5.8% Hz-containing monocytes and 1.8% Hz-containing neutrophils. The microscopic examination yielded 10% and 13% of Hz-containing monocytes, as well as 0% and 0.5% of Hz-containing neutrophils for observers one and two, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Novel, robust and affordable cytometric methods should be evaluated in the field as they may assist in utilizing Hz-containing cells as clinically useful parameter.
Hänscheid
Thomas
T
Medical Research Unit, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer, Lambaréné, Gabon.
Frita
Rosangela
R
Längin
Matthias
M
Kremsner
Peter G
PG
Grobusch
Martin P
MP
D000818:Animals; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods*; D006420:Hemeproteins; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000379:methods*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008288:Malaria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008853:Microscopy; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000097:blood; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D006420:Hemeproteins; D010860:Pigments, Biological; C020753:hemozoin