Quantification of red blood cell fragmentation by automated haematology analyser XE-2100

The extent of red blood cell fragmentation in peripheral blood is useful fo r diagnosis and follow-up in many diseases, e.g. haemolytic uremic syndrome , transplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (BMT-TMA). However, this quantification still relies on manual counting of fragmented red cell s on blood smears. We have developed a quantification system by gating a fi xed area of fragmented red blood cells (Gate 1) on an automated haematology analyser (XE-2100, Sysmex Co., Kobe, Japan). The fragmented red cell perce ntage (FRC%) calculated with this system, from 100 samples, was highly corr elated with the manual count (r = 0.902, P < 0.0001). Because microcytic an aemia specimens usually occupy a lower position on the XE-2100 scattergram, with microcytic cells overlapping Gate I and causing a spuriously high FRC % calculation, a supplementary gate (Gate 2) was added. Using the particle number in this gate as well as in Gate 1, a revised method for such samples was developed and its validity confirmed (revised FRC% correlated with a m anual count for 10 subjects (P < 0.001). Because this gating system can be programmed on any XE-2100, it is likely to prove useful for accurate quanti fication of red blood cell fragmentation and for the monitoring of the deve lopment of BMT-TMA.