The new haematology analyzer DxH 800: an evaluation of the analytical performances and leucocyte flags, comparison with the LH 755.

Introduction: The analytical performance and the abnormality messages on differential (flags) of the new analyzer Beckman Coulter DxH 800 were compared with those of the LH 755.
Methods: First, we evaluated the accuracy of the results of the DxH 800, in comparison with the LH 755, in 125 samples without alarm using unflagged sample results on both analyzers. Second, flagged samples on the LH 755 but not flagged by the DxH 800 were evaluated by flow cytometry for accuracy of the DxH 800 results. Finally, we evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of abnormality messages on differential given by the analyzers, in comparison with manual blood smears.
Results: The correlation coefficients (R) for complete blood count parameters and differential demonstrated that the DxH 800 results were similar to that of LH 755. Excellent correlation coefficients between DxH 800 and flow cytometry results were found for white blood cell count (R = 0.985, n = 31), platelet count (R = 0.976, n = 51) and nucleated red blood cells (R = 0.966, n = 37). The overall performance showed an increased sensitivity (0.892) and specificity (0.864) of the flags on DxH 800 when compared to the LH 755 (0.846 and 0.733, respectively).
Conclusion: The DxH 800 provides reliable results and increases laboratory efficiency by reducing working time and costs associated with the optical validation of the results.
(© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)