Residual cells in blood products – A novel way for detection using the blood bank mode of the XN1000 from Sysmex

The german guideline Haemotherapy defines the minimal criteria for routine testing of blood products. To reduce the risk of harming patients due to the transfusion associated side effects of residual cells, for all products these due to the manufacturing process retaining concentrations of residual cells are limited. For platelet concentrates (PC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP), residual leukocytes and erythrocytes are analyzed. Details regarding leftover leukocytes are needed for packed red blood cells (pRBC). Here, we contrast conventional laboratory techniques for the identification of leftover cells following manufacturing with the innovative blood bank mode of the Symex XN1000 series.

Samples from regularly manufactered blood products (PC, FFP, pRBC) were obtained. To determine the residual cells, we compared the new automated blood bank mode of the Sysmex XN1000 instrument with our internal lab standard, which uses a Nageotte chamber for residual leukocytes and a Neubauer counting chamber for residual erythrocytes and thrombocytes.

We made a comparison of 57 PC samples, 70 FFP, and 33 pRBC utilizing the automated (XN1000) and manual (chamber counting) counting techniques. When it came to PLT, the automated measurements outperformed the manual technique in terms of residual leukocyte levels, especially at very low concentrations (up to 5x10^3/µl). At larger concentrations, however, the results were similar. Between the two approaches, the residual RBC values were comparable. For residual leukocytes in FFP, automatic and human measurements yielded consistent results. At lower concentrations, residual RBCs were greater in the automated measurements, whereas the outcomes were similar at higher doses. Regardless of the low or high cell concentrations, the XN1000 for pRBC consistently displayed greater levels of residual leukocytes.

Routine residual cell measurement with the XN1000 devices expedited daily quality control procedures while preserving the best quality of blood products. In comparison to the manual method, the automated method indicated larger values of remaining cells at lower concentrations. Nevertheless, independent of the kind of blood product, the outcomes from both approaches grew increasingly similar as cell concentrations rose. This cutting-edge automated process guarantees highest quality control of the blood products with ensuring patient safety while also saving time.

There are no conflict of interets