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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2004

Differential leukocyte counts determined in chicken blood using the Cell-Dyn 3500

Lilliehook I, Wall H, Tauson R, Tvedten H

Abstract

Background: Automated hematology instruments commonly are used for mammalian blood analysis, but there is a lack of accurate automated methods available for avian leukocyte analysis. Objective: The aim of this study was to validate differential leukocyte counts in blood from chickens using the Cell-Dyn 3500 hematology system and avian-specific software. Methods: Blood samples were collected in lithium-heparin tubes from 2 groups (n = 84 and n = 139) of laying hens. Manual 200-cell differential counts were done on routinely-stained blood smears, and manual total granulocyte counts (heterophils and eosinophils),were done using an cosinophil stain in a counting chamber. Automated differential counts were done using VET 2.3, a research and development version of avian-specific software for the Cell-Dyn 3500. Results were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and difference plots. Results: Automated granulocyte counts from the Cell-Dyn were in good agreement with manual granulocyte counts (r = 0.93 and 0.80 for the 2 study groups). No correlation was found between automated and manual lymphocyte counts. Correlation coefficients for monocyte counts were 0.70 and 0.43. Conclusion: Automated leukocyte results from the Cell-Dyn using VET 2.3 software were not fully accurate. Total granulocyte counts may be of clinical usefulness, but results obtained for other parameters were unreliable. (C) 2004 American Society for veterinary Clinical Pathology

Keywords

Avian; Cell-Dyn 3500; chicken; differential count; hematology; leukocyte

Published in

Veterinary Clinical Pathology
2004, Volume: 33, number: 3, pages: 133-138
Publisher: AMER SOC VETERINARY CLINICAL PATHOLOGY