CD4 T-cell enumeration in a field setting: evaluation of CyFlow counter using the CD4 easy count kit-dry and Pima CD4 systems.
BACKGROUND
Flow Cytometry (FCM) is still considered to be the method of choice for accurate CD4 enumeration. However, the use of FCM in developing countries is problematic due to their cost and complexity. Lower-cost technologies have been introduced. We evaluated CyFlow Counter together with its lyophilized reagents, and Pima CD4 in high-temperature area, using FACSCount as reference.


METHODS
Whole blood samples were consecutively collected by venipuncture from 111 HIV+ patients and 17 HIV-negative donors. CD4 T-cell enumeration was performed on CyFlow Counter, Pima CD4 and FACSCount.


RESULTS
CyFlow Counter and Pima CD4 systems showed good correlation with FACSCount (slope of 0.82 and 0.90, and concordance ρc of 0.94 and 0.98, respectively). CyFlow Counter showed absolute or relative biases (LOA) of -63 cells/mm(3) (-245 to 120) or -9.8% (-38.1 to 18.4) respectively, and Pima CD4 showed biases (LOA) of -30 cells/mm(3) (-160 to 101) or -3.5% (-41.0 to 33.9%). CyFlow Counter and Pima CD4 showed respectively 106.7% and 105.9% of similarity with FACSCount. According to WHO-2010 ART initiation threshold of 350 cells/mm(3), CyFlow Counter and Pima CD4 showed respectively sensibility of 100% and 97%, and specificity of 91% and 93%. CyFlow Counter and Pima CD4 were strongly correlated (slope of 1.09 and ρc of 0.95). These alternative systems showed good agreement with bias of 33 cells/mm(3) (-132 to 203) or 6.3% (-31.2 to 43.8), and similarity of 104.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
CyFlow Counter using CD4 easy count kit-dry and Pima CD4 systems can accurately provide CD4 T-cell counts with acceptable agreement to those of FACSCount.
Immunology Unit, Laboratory of Bacteriology Virology, Le Dantec University Teaching Hospital, Dakar, Senegal ; Immunology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium ; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Djibril
D
Wade
Papa Alassane
PA
Diaw
Géraldine
G
Daneau
Makhtar
M
Camara
Tandakha Ndiaye
TN
Dieye
Souleymane
S
Mboup
Luc
L
Kestens
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult