Pseudothrombocytopenia due to EDTA-induced platelet clumping is occasionally observed in clinical laboratory, but pseudoleukopenia due to in vitro leukocyte agglutination is very rare and there has been no report on this in Korea. The author has experienced a case of pseudoleukopenia in a 78-year-old woman who had been hospitalized with relapsed cerebrovascular accident. EDTA-anticoagulated blood stored for 3 hours in room temperature showed leukopenia by automated blood cell counter (Sysmex SE-9000, Toa Medical Electronics Co., Japan). Leukocyte agglutinates were observed on the peripheral blood smear, which were mostly composed of neutrophils. With prolonged exposure to room temperature, the size of agglutinates increased, and total leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage decreased further. The agglutination reversely disappeared after 37degrees C incubation.
Aged ; Agglutination* ; Blood Cell Count ; Blood Platelets ; Electronics, Medical ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes* ; Leukopenia ; Neutrophils ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: Various assays including an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) are used to detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (anti-HBs). Recently, an increasing number of institutions have been utilizing an immunochromatography assay (ICA), which is rapid and easy to use and does not require special instrumentation; however, it is known to be less sensitive than EIA. In this study, we evaluated two different ICA kits for the detection of HBsAg and anti-HBs, and the results were compared with EIA. METHODS: A total of 400 serum samples, 100 each from HBsAg (+), HBsAg (-), anti-HBs (+) and anti-HBs (-) subjects, were assayed using two ICA kits (Daewoong, Genedia), and two chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) kits (ADVIA Centaur, ARCHITECT). The HBsAg and anti-HBs status had been determined by a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (AxSYM MEIA) at Seoul Paik Hospital. RESULTS: When compared with the results of AxSYM MEIA, the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance rate of both of the ICAs for HBsAg were 97%, 100% and 98.5%, respectively. The concordance rate, sensitivity, and specificities of Daewoong rapid Anti-HBs were 84.5%, 83%, and 86%, and the respective figures for Genedia rapid Anti-HBs were 85%, 96% and 74%. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic performances of two ICAs for HBsAg were more than 97%; however, both ICAs failed to detect HBsAg in low reactive samples. The concordance rate of two ICAs for anti- HBs was lower than that of three quantitative immunoassays. The results of ICAs should be interpreted with caution, because the samples containing a relatively low reactivity by the quantitative immunoassay can show negative results for anti-HBs.
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens* ; Immunoassay* ; Immunochromatography* ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Luminescence ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (orthotopic) is considered as an important therapy for the end stage liver diseases, but because of the coagulopathies of these patients, the massive bleeding during the operation has been a disturbing problem. So, the role of blood bank has increasingly been important for the appropriate blood products supply for the operation. METHODS: The authors reviewed retrospectively the hospital records of 9 patients who had taken orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT) at the Seoul Paik Hospital from March, 1992 to November, 1994. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The mean operation time and hospitalization duration was 14.1 hours and 35.3 days, respectively. Intraoperatively, the operations required a mean of 2.4 units of whole blood (WB), 29.4 of red cells (RBCs), 32.0 of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), 17.5 of platelet concentrates (PLTs), and 4.1 of cryoprecipitates (CRYOs). During the entire hospital stay, a mean of 9.3 units of WB, 56.1 of RBCs, 108.3 of FFP, 210.8 of PLTs, and 5.6 of CRYOs were transfused.
Blood Banks ; Blood Platelets ; Hemorrhage ; Hospital Records ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Transplantation* ; Liver* ; Plasma ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul