Evaluation of white blood cell count in peritoneal fluid with five different hemocytometers

ObjectivesEvaluation of automated flow cytometric analysis of white blood cell (WBC) count in peritoneal fluids.MethodsOne hundred peritoneal fluids were analyzed with manual microscopy, Sysmex XE-2100 and XE-5000, Siemens Advia 2120, Mindray BC-6800, Abbott Sapphire.ResultsHigh correlations (0.978 to 0.999) and modes biases (− 132 to 80 WBC/mm3) were found. Agreement at septic peritonitis cutoff ranged between 96% and 99%.ConclusionsThese hemocytometers display acceptable performance for WBC screening in peritoneal fluids.

► Correlations with manual microscopy were between 0.978 and 0.999. ► The mean bias comprised between − 132 and 80 WBC/mm3. ► The agreement at diagnostic cutoff of septic peritonitis was between 96 and 99%. ► The instruments had acceptable performance for routine peritoneal fluid screening.