Comparison of Automated and Manual Reticulocyte Count Determination

Abstract

Objective: To compare automated and manual reticulocyte count determination. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkom University. Methods: Eighty blood samples from both inactive and active erythropoiesis states were collected for the comparative study of reticulocyte count determination. All samples were determined by two methods-manual
and automated reticulocyte count. The technicians who did the test were blinded for the other method results. Average values from reticulocyte count determination were calculated, compared then analyzed. Results: The average reticulocyte count values by manual method was 2.8992.59%. The average reticulocyte count values by automated method was 2.24+2.30%. It revealed that there
was no significant difference between reticulocyte count values deternined by both methods (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The reticulocyte count results from automated and semi-automated methods are not significant different. The manual reticulocyte count in routine service is recommended.