Use of Sysmex XT-2000iV hematology analyser to identify haematopoietic neoplasms in dogs

M.E. Gelain; G. Rossi; S. Paltrinieri

doi:10.1111/j.1939-165X.2007.tb00448.x

Myeloproliferative and lymphoproliferative disorders are common in dogs. In some cases, the differentiation between reactive and neoplastic proliferation can be difficult. Moreover, the correct identification of lineage and maturation stage of neoplastic cells requires experienced hematopathologists and expensive techniques such as flow cytometry. The ability to identify these cells could be enhanced by the introduction of an automated blood cell analyser, such as the Sysmex XT-2000iV, that combines an optical laser/fluorescence method with impedance technology. The aim of this work was to assess the possible role of scattergrams generated by the Sysmex XT-2000iV in the diagnostic approach to canine hematopoietic disorders. Peripheral blood samples from healthy dogs without hematological abnormalities were used as a control group in order to determine the best canine gatings and to compare them to pathological samples. Eighteen samples from dogs with lympho/myeloproliferative neoplasms were analysed. In particular, based on morphology of the cells and on flow cytometric analysis, 8 case of lymphoma with and without blood involvement, 6 cases of acute leukemia (myeloid, lymphoid and undifferentiated) and 4 of chronic lymphocytic leukemia were included in the study. Specific gates were developed in order to identify a typical pattern in acute and chronic leukemia and in lymphoma with blood involvement. In the majority of samples neoplastic cells displayed a typical scattergram that allowed the correct identification of the disease. In particular, in all chronic lymphocytic leukemias, a distinct population of cells characterized by intermediate side scatter properties and fluorescence intensity was easily identified. In contrast, in acute leukemias and stage V lymphoma with circulating malignant lymphocytes, neoplastic cells were characterized by higher levels of fluorescence intensity, presumably due to the presence of blast cells with increased amounts of nucleic acid. In cases of lymphoma in which flow cytometry had excluded peripheral blood involvement, the scattergrams were comparable with those of normal dogs. Only in 2 cases were the scattergrams not consistent with the flow cytometric diagnosis: one case of acute lymphocytic leukemia characterized by extreme leukocytosis was misidentified as a chronic leukemia, and one case of lymphoma without blood involvement displayed a pattern similar to that present in leukemic lymphoma. In conclusion, although a complete and accurate differential was automatically generated by the instrument in only a few cases, the analysis of scattergrams from the Sysmex XT-2000iV can represent a first and rapid step capable of identifying neoplastic populations in blood from dogs with lympho/myeloproliferative disorders.

Use of Sysmex XT-2000iV hematology analyser to identify haematopoietic neoplasms in dogs

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