1997 Volume 43 Issue 1 Pages 13-20
A modified flow cytometric (FCM) method for counting very small numbers of residual white blood cells (WBCs) in platelet concentrates (PCs) was developed. Non-labeled chicken red blood cells (cRBCs) were added to samples of PCs as an internal control. After incubation with propidium iodide (PI) staining agent, residual WBCs and control cRBCs were counted using a Cytoron flow cytometer (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics K. K. Tokyo, Japan). Average time needed to count one sample was 40 seconds. The range of cell numbers able to counted by this method was 1.6×102-105 cells per ml with good reproducibility.
The advantages of this technique are that its rapid and accurate, requires only 0.2ml of PCs and is easy to perform. It therefore represents a useful method for quality control of residual WBCs in platelet concentrates.
