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

Objectives: Evaluation of automated flow cytometric analysis of white blood cell (WBC) count in peritoneal fluids.

Methods: One hundred peritoneal fluids were analyzed with manual microscopy, Sysmex XE-2100 and XE-5000, Siemens Advia 2120, Mindray BC-6800, Abbott Sapphire.

Results: High correlations (0.978 to 0.999) and modes biases (-132 to 80 WBC/mm(3)) were found. Agreement at septic peritonitis cutoff ranged between 96% and 99%.

Conclusions: These hemocytometers display acceptable performance for WBC screening in peritoneal fluids.