Reticulocyte population data in different erythropoietic states.
OBJECTIVE
To assess changes in reticulocyte impedance volume, conductivity and light scatter (reticulocyte population data or RPD) obtained with the volume, conductivity and laser light scatter (VCS) technology in healthy subjects and in different erythropoietic states.


METHODS
Blood samples were analysed with the Beckman-Coulter LH750 system, using the VCS method, from a group of 40 healthy subjects and three groups of patients with different types of untreated or treated anaemia: 24 cases of iron deficiency at the time of diagnosis, 16 patients with iron deficiency anaemia during intravenous iron administration, and 57 patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis and administration of rHu-erythropoietin and intravenous iron.


RESULTS
RPD data were reproducible. Average mean channels for volume were 50.9 for controls and 49.2, 55.7 and 64.0 for the three patient groups, respectively. Average mean channels for conductivity were 52.0 for controls and 59.8, 55.7 and 56.1 for the three patient groups. Average mean channels for light scatter were 108.4 for controls and 113.3, 117.3 and 128.2 for the three patient groups. SD data indicated increased dispersion in the patient groups.


CONCLUSIONS
When values in the patient groups are compared with reference values obtained in healthy controls, the main differences are found in impedance volume and light scatter, which were both increased in patients with stimulated erythropoiesis. These data indicate the opportunity to further evaluate the clinical usefulness of RPD in haematological diseases.
Hematology Laboratory, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. recamh@rm.unicatt.it
Gina
G
Zini
Antonella
A
Di Mario
Mariagrazia
M
Garzia
Maria
M
Bianchi
Giuseppe
G
d'Onofrio
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D048429:Cell Size; D004920:Erythropoiesis / Q000502:physiology*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017701:Reticulocyte Count; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron