Automated evaluation of synovial and ascitic fluids with the Advia 2120 hematology analyzer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine if the Advia 2120 hematology analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL) can accurately quantify both WBCs and the proportion of neutrophils from synovial and ascitic body fluids.


METHODS
We analyzed 60 samples on the Advia and compared the results with manual counts and smear reviews. We also assessed the effect of adding hyaluronidase to the samples. WBC counts and the proportion of neutrophils reported by the hematology analyzer were harmonized and highly correlated with manual counts and fluid smear reviews.


RESULTS
The addition of hyaluronidase to the synovial fluid consistently increased the WBC counts on both manual and automated analysis (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the Advia hematology analyzer can be used for WBC and neutrophil counting of cells in synovial and ascitic fluids. Hyaluronidase should be added before manual or automated counting of cells in synovial fluids.
Hematology Laboratory, Central Laboratory of Haifa and Western Galilee, Clalit Health Services, Nesher, Israel; paulfr@clalit.org.il.
Paul
P
Froom
Alaa
A
Diab
Mira
M
Barak
D001201:Ascites / Q000473:pathology*; D001331:Automation; D006405:Hematology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology*
Ascitic fluid; Cell counts; Hematology analyzer; Synovial fluid