Premium
Use of TransFix™ cerebrospinal fluid storage tubes prevents cellular loss and enhances flow cytometric detection of malignant hematological cells after 18 hours of storage
Author(s) -
Jongste Adriaan H.,
Kraan Jaco,
van den Broek Patricia D.,
Brooimans Rik A.,
Bromberg Jacoline E.,
van Montfort Kees A.,
Smitt Peter A. Sillevis,
Gratama Jan W.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cytometry part b: clinical cytometry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1552-4957
pISSN - 1552-4949
DOI - 10.1002/cyto.b.21097
Subject(s) - flow cytometry , cerebrospinal fluid , lumbar puncture , medicine , cell counting , pathology , chemistry , immunology , cell cycle , cancer
Flow cytometry is a sensitive method for detection of leptomeningeal localizations of hematological malignancies (LHM) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Rapid processing of CSF is needed, as leukocyte numbers appear to decline quickly after lumbar puncture. The cell‐stabilizing agent TransFix™ may enhance the detection of LHM in CSF by preventing cellular loss. To study the effects of TransFix on leukocyte numbers and the detection of LHM, we prospectively collected 99 CSF samples from patients with suspected or proven LHM in tubes with (i) TransFix; (ii) serum‐containing medium; and (iii) no cell‐stabilizing agents (native CSF). Presence of LHM and absolute leukocyte numbers were determined by flow cytometry after 30 minutes and 18 hours of storage. Leukocyte numbers in TransFix‐stabilized CSF were higher than in the corresponding native samples at both time points (1.4× and 2.3× respectively, P < 0.0001 on each occasion). After 18 hours of storage, TransFix enhanced the detection of LHM in CSF. In all discordant paired observations (13/99, P = 0.005), the level of suspicion (classified as positive, suspicious, or negative) in CSF with TransFix was higher than in native CSF. We conclude that the use of TransFix‐containing CSF storage tubes prevents cellular loss and enhances flow cytometric detection of LHM after 18 hours of storage. © 2013 International Clinical Cytometry Society.